Impact of valganciclovir therapy on severe IRIS-Kaposi Sarcoma mortality: An open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial

Viral oncogenesis in cancer: from mechanisms to therapeutics

The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the first virus confirmed to cause human cancer. Viral infections significantly contribute to the global cancer burden, with seven known Group 1 oncogenic viruses, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), EBV, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These oncogenic viruses induce cellular transformation and cancer development by altering various biological processes within host cells, particularly under immunosuppression or co-carcinogenic exposures. These viruses are primarily associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, cervical cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma, and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Understanding the mechanisms of viral oncogenesis is crucial for identifying and characterizing the early biological processes of virus-related cancers, providing new targets and strategies for treatment or prevention. This review first outlines the global epidemiology of virus-related tumors, milestone events in research, and the process by which oncogenic viruses infect target cells. It then focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which these viruses induce tumors directly or indirectly, including the regulation of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, induction of genomic instability, disruption of regular life cycle of cells, immune suppression, chronic inflammation, and inducing angiogenesis. Finally, current therapeutic strategies for virus-related tumors and recent advances in preclinical and clinical research are discussed.

Comparison of IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα Levels Between PLWHIV With and Without Kaposi Sarcoma and Healthy Controls

INTRODUCTION

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative disease caused by human herpesvirus 8 and is mediated by cytokines in an immunodeficient environment. This study aimed to compare IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα levels among patients with AIDS with disseminated KS (DKS), treatment naïve patients living with HIV without DKS, and healthy controls. Secondary outcomes were to compare cytokines levels in patients with DKS and unfavorable outcomes, and an analysis of the behavior of cytokines over time.

METHODS

This cohort study was performed at 2 centers in Mexico City. Three groups were included. Group 1: HIV+ treatment naïve with DKS, group 2: HIV+ treatment naïve without KS, and group 3: HIV negative, healthy controls. Plasmatic IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα levels were measured at baseline and over time in groups 1 and 2.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients were included: 39 (52%) in group 1, 17 (22%) in group 2, and 20 (26%) in group 3. The median baseline IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα levels were significantly higher in group 1. In group 1, baseline IL-6 was higher in patients who died than in survivors (14.4 vs 5.8 pg/mL P = 0.048). Patients with severe immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome because of KS had higher IL-6 values than those without it (14.4 vs 5.8 pg/mL P = 0.004). In the repeated measures model in group 1, IL-10 levels were higher in patients who died ( P < 0.001) and developed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome-KS ( P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6, IL-10, and TNF α levels were markedly higher in patients with DKS. IL-6 and IL-10 levels were higher in patients with unfavorable outcomes.

HHV-8-associated diseases in transplantation: A case report and narrative review focused on diagnosis and prevention

BACKGROUND

Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) or Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is an opportunistic oncovirus that causes multiple pathologic entities.

METHODS

We present a case of fatal HHV-8-associated multisystem illness with disseminated Kaposi sarcoma and HHV8-associated lymphoproliferative disorder with systemic inflammation. We conducted a narrative review of the literature on HHV-8 in transplantation with a goal of illuminating the spectrum of HHV-8-associated diseases in this vulnerable population, modes of disease transmission, and the potential role for donor and recipient screening.

RESULTS

HHV-8-associated KS, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), and KSHV inflammatory cytokine disorder (KICS) may affect transplant recipients; with the exception of KS, these conditions are rare but carry high morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSION

HHV-8-associated diseases have diverse and protean manifestations in transplant recipients, with potentially fatal outcomes. HHV-8 seroprevalence among organ donors and the magnitude of risk for donor-derived HHV-8 infection or clinically significant disease remain unknown and require further study.

Early Mortality and Health Care Costs in Patients Recently Diagnosed With Kaposi Sarcoma at the National Cancer Institute, Mexico City

Background

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a marker of advanced HIV disease; it is still the most frequent AIDS-associated malignancy in Mexico despite universal access to antiretroviral therapy, reflecting a gap in early HIV diagnosis.

Methods

The objectives of the study were to describe people with HIV with KS who died within 30 days of admission at INCan (National Cancer Institute) and to quantify resources and years of life lost (YLL). We collected demographic data, HIV-related variables, all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, hospitalizations, and estimated YLL and disability-adjusted life years.

Results

Eighteen (6.7%) people with HIV with KS from 270 patients admitted at INCan from 2014 to 2021 were included. The median age was 31 years (IQR 27-36), and the median days from admission to death and from HIV diagnosis to death were 15 (IQR, 6-24) and 73 (IQR, 30-857), respectively. Upon admission, the median HIV viral load was 314 476 copies/mL (IQR, 140 709-695 613); CD4+ T cells, 93 cells/mL (IQR 35-124); and CD4/CD8 ratio, 0.08 (IQR, 0.06-0.12). Coinfections were diagnosed in 14 (77.7%) patients. The average expenditure per patient was US $7685.99 USD, and the total YLL was 737.4 with a median 42 years (IQR, 37.7-47) per patient. The total care cost was US $183 947.48, equivalent to a screening program in key populations, which would have allowed the early detection of 1227 cases and saved 8410 disability-adjusted life years.

Conclusions

Reinforcement of early HIV infection detection in key population programs should be prioritized to reduce KS-associated deaths and YLL and for rational use of health budgets.

Valganciclovir modulates the tumor necrosis factor axis molecules expression and CD4+ T-cell subsets in disseminated Kaposi Sarcoma patients

Valganciclovir (VGC) was used in a randomized clinical trial in patients with disseminated Kaposi Sarcoma/human immunodeficiency virus (DKS/HIV) as add-on therapy to evaluate the proinflammatory axis tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and its receptors (TNFRs) in T cells. Two treatment schedules were used: an experimental regime (ER) and a conventional treatment (CT). Mononuclear cells from patients with DKS/HIV were obtained at baseline (W0), 4 (W4), and 12 weeks (W12). Ten DKS/HIV patients received CT (antiretroviral therapy [cART]) and 10 ER (valganciclovir [VGC] initially, plus cART at the fourth week). HIV+ without KS and HIV- patient groups were included as controls. Correlation between T-cell subsets and HHV-8 viral load (VL) and a multivariate linear regression was performed. Data showed that DKS/HIV patients have an increased frequency of CD8+ T cells, which display a high density of CD8 expression. The ER scheme increases naïve and central memory CD4+ T cells at W4 and W12 of follow-up and induces a balanced distribution of activated CD4+ T-cell subsets. Moreover, ER decreases solTNFR2 since W4 and CT decreased the transmembrane forms of TNF axis molecules. Although CT induces a positive correlation between HHV-8 VL and TNFRs, the use of ER positively correlates with TNF and TNFRs levels through follow-up and a moderate correlation with HHV-8 VL and TNF soluble levels. In conclusion, VGC, as an add-on therapy in DKS/HIV patients, gradually modulates the activation of CD4+ T-cell subsets and the TNF/TNFRs axis, suggesting a better regulation of the inflammatory status.