December 19, 2012 HIV attacks the immune system, causing it to
become increasingly weak and dysfunctional. Treatment with
combinations of potent anti-HIV drugs (commonly called ART or
HAART) greatly reduces production of HIV in the body. As less
HIV is produced, the immune system can begin repairs. These
repairs are generally sufficient to keep AIDS-related infections
at bay. However, because defects in immunity persist, there is
an elevated risk for certain cancers in some ART users. The
degree of this elevated cancer risk varies from one HIV-positive
person to another and arises from a complex intersection of
factors, likely including some of the following: Due to similar
routes of transmission, some HIV-positive people are also
infected with other viruses. Some of these viruses can cause
cells to develop abnormally. Such abnormal cells can transform
into pre-cancers and, in some cases, even cancer. Some viruses
with this cancer-causing potential include the following:
Researchers have found that in the tim