Viral infections associated with oral cancers and diseases in the context of HIV: a workshop report

Abstract

Human herpesviruses (HHVs) and Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are common in the general population and, in immunocompetent people, are mostly carried asymptomatically. However, once an individual becomes immunocompromised by age, illness, or HIV infection these dormant viruses can manifest themselves and produce disease. In HIV-positive patients there is an increased risk of disease caused by HHVs and HPV infections and cancers caused by the oncoviruses EBV, HHV-8, and HPV. This workshop examined four questions regarding the viruses associated with oral cancers disease in the HIV-positive and -negative populations, the immune response, and biomarkers useful for accurate diagnostics of these infections and their sequalae. Each presenter identified a number of key areas where further research is required.

Effect of HIV infection in the micronuclei frequency on the oral mucosa

“…With antiretroviral therapy , there was a change in this scenario and now HIV+ individuals have higher survival rate. In accordance with Cobucci et al , after active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there were changes in the incidence cancers among HIV/AIDS patients, with their overall risk increased . There is no an exact number of the frequency of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which can be variable due the geography and social conditions.…”

“…The human herpes viruses (HHV) include different viruses caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and KS‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) . EBV infections are related to the development of malignancies in immunosuppressed patients, and they are an interfering factor in the cytogenetic analysis.…”

“…EBV infections are related to the development of malignancies in immunosuppressed patients, and they are an interfering factor in the cytogenetic analysis. EBV DNA tumour virus can result in a latent infected cell and undergo clonal expansion in some cases .…”

“…The role of HIV infection within the oral carcinogenesis process has not been established, but the immunosuppression leads to increased susceptibility to carcinogens and MN formation . The subjects to study were selected from a HAART therapy in a follow‐up programme and were monitored for HIV infection and the development of correlated diseases.…”

Overview and research agenda arising from the 7th World Workshop on Oral Health and Disease in AIDS

“…The discussions in this workshop focused on the increased risk of disease caused by HHVs and HPV infections and cancers caused by the oncoviruses EBV, HHV‐8 and HPV, in HIV‐infected patients (Speicher et al , ). This workshop examined the viruses associated with oral cancers disease in the HIV‐infected and uninfected populations, the immune response, and biomarkers useful for accurate diagnostics of these infections and their sequelae.…”