Impact of HIV on lung tumorigenesis in an animal model

Many HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy have controlled viremia and restored (albeit partially) immunity. Yet, they have high rates of lung cancer, even after controlling for smoking. We tested the hypothesis that HIV proteins accelerate development/progression of lung cancer in an immunocompetent HIV transgenic mouse model. The expression of HIV proteins did not enhance lung tumorigenesis caused by two different tobacco carcinogens, suggesting that incompletely restored immunity and/or inflammation, which persist(s) in most HIV patients despite controlled viremia, underlie(s) excess risk of lung cancer. Adjuvant therapies that restore immunity and lower inflammation may decrease lung cancer mortality in HIV patients.