title: Current understanding and potential immunotherapy for HIV-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA).
abstract: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rare disease in the average population but is an increasing concern among immunocompromised individuals, such as the HIV-seropositive. Coinfection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in this population is common. HPV infection is difficult to clear with a compromised immune system, which results in a greater risk of tumor development and a more aggressive progression of the disease. The recent approval of a prophylactic HPV vaccine for cervical cancer has sparked an interest in a search for improved immunotherapeutic multimodality therapies to combat anogenital tumors associated with the virus. In this review, we discuss the known mechanisms of action of HIV-associated SCCA, examine the current treatments for the disease, and focus on the potential of an immunotherapeutic vaccine approach for both prophylactic and therapeutic application.
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Molecular Surgeon Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail stop: BCM390, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marin-Muller
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Changyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qizhi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C068651:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; C052603:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 18; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D012097:Repressor Proteins