CMV plasma DNAemia and risk of cancer among HIV-infected patients: A case–control study nested in the ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort, France, 2002–2007

Abstract

Background CMV reactivation, which enhances immune senescence, could be associated with a higher risk of cancer. Objectives We compared the prevalence of positive CMV DNAemia in HIV-infected patients with and without cancer. Study design This case–control study, nested in the ANRS-CO3 Aquitaine Cohort, included patients with a first diagnosis of cancer (2002–2007) as cases. Two controls were matched per case. Cancer risk was estimated using conditional logistic regression models, an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2 could be detected with 80% power. The variables considered were: ≥1 positive CMV DNAemia, CD4+ and CD8+ counts, HIV plasma load. Plasma CMV DNA was retrospectively quantified within the 3-year period preceding the endpoint. Results The 143 cases (93 non-AIDS-related and 50 AIDS-related cancers) and 284 controls had a median age of 47 years (IQR: 41–56). At the time of diagnosis or censorship, for cases and controls, median values were respectively, for CD4+ count: 327 cells/mm 3 (IQR: 164–514) and 416 (IQR: 275–582), and for HIV plasma load: 2.6 log 10 copies/mL (IQR: 1.7–4.7) and 1.7 log 10 copies/mL (IQR: 1.7–3.3). We performed 2056 CMV PCR; 14 cases (9.8% [95% CI: 4.9–14.7]) and 19 controls (6.7% [CI: 3.8–9.6]) presented ≥1 positive PCR. CMV DNAemia was not associated with the risk of cancer (unadjusted and adjusted p-values = 0.19 and 0.54, respectively). HIV load >500 copies/mL was independently associated with a higher risk of cancer (OR = 2.02; p = 0.002; 95% CI: 1.29–3.17). Conclusion This large case–control study did not show any differential exposure to positive CMV plasma DNAemia between cancer cases and controls.