Preliminary findings on cancer incidence in HIV-infected persons from six countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean

Background

The Caribbean, Central and South America network (CCASAnet) is one of seven regions funded by the International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) program sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases and National Cancer Institute [1]. CCASAnet performs analyses using HIV epidemiology data from clinical care sites in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico and Peru. In August of 2007, with a funding supplement provided by NCI, six participating sites in the network began a project to determine the incidence, treatment and outcomes of cancer occurring in HIV-infected individuals in the region.

Methods

A total of approximately 13,000 HIV-positive individuals followed at the participating sites formed the study cohort. Chart reviews began in fall 2007 and are continuing at present. A standardized cancer case abstract form was developed by the Vanderbilt data coordination center and its use was validated by Fundación Huésped in Buenos Aires. English and Spanish language versions of the case report form and instructions for its use were created, along with a secure online Web interface for capturing data in computerized format, Table 1.

Table 1 Preliminary results *

Conclusion

The preliminary incidence and cancer types occurring in selected cohorts in the Caribbean, Central and South America are consistent with previously reported cancer findings in HIV-infected populations.