Proposal of model for personalized early adapted cancer screening in people living with HIV: experience of "Gaetano Martino" Hospital University of Messina.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has historically been related to the development of specific cancers, some of which are so closely linked to the infection, such as Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS), that they have earned the name Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-defining cancers (ADCs). While the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has decreased the incidence of AIDS-defining cancers, the resulting aging of people living with HIV (PLWH) highlighted an increased occurrence of other forms of cancer. At the "Gaetano Martino" hospital in Messina, we developed a multidisciplinary approach by creating a bridge between the Oncology Unit and the Infectious Diseases Unit to carry out screening and a more rapid diagnostic and therapeutic journey for cancers in PLWH. The goal is to improve the diagnosis of various types of cancer by involving other professionals, such as gastroenterologists and gynecologists, to ensure faster access to treatment and, therefore, a greater chance of survival. In addition, our multidisciplinary approach has also included vaccine screening, offered by the "Gaetano Martino" hospital and useful for preventing the development of specific forms of cancer in the entire population and particularly in PLWH.