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Long-term nitrite inhalant exposure and cancer risk in MSM

Anupriya Dutta1, Hajime Uno, Alex Holman

  • 1aDepartment of Cancer Immunology and Virology bCenter for Population Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts cDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

AIDS (London, England)
|April 26, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Long-term nitrite inhalant (popper) use may increase cancer risk in older HIV-uninfected men who have sex with men. This risk is linked to viruses like human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nitrite inhalants (poppers) are recreational drugs used by men who have sex with men (MSM).
  • Previous studies linked popper use to risky sexual behaviors and increased HIV/HHV-8 risk.
  • The association between long-term popper use and cancer risk in the HAART era remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between long-term nitrite inhalant (popper) use and cancer risk among MSM.
  • To examine specific cancer types and virus-associated cancers in relation to popper use.
  • To differentiate risks between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted with 3223 HIV-infected and uninfected MSM from 1996-2010.
  • Poisson regression models analyzed the link between heavy popper use (daily/weekly for ≥1 year) and cancer risk.
  • Adjustments were made for demographics, sexual behavior, and immunological factors.

Main Results:

  • Heavy popper use was not linked to increased risk of any individual cancers across all participants.
  • Among HIV-uninfected men aged 50-70, heavy popper use correlated with increased risk of virus-associated cancers (HPV, HHV-8, EBV).
  • No significant association was found between heavy popper use and virus-associated cancer in HIV-infected men.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term, heavy popper use is associated with a higher risk of certain virus-associated cancers in older, HIV-uninfected MSM.
  • This elevated risk is independent of sexual behavior and immunological parameters.
  • The findings highlight potential oncogenic risks associated with popper use in specific populations.

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