Journal: AIDS and behavior
This systematic review evaluates the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and cervical cancer progression in HIV-positive women.
Analyzing 80 studies published between 2010 and 2024, the review identifies HPV16 and HPV18 as the most common genotypes.
Despite ART improving immune function and being associated with better clinical outcomes, high-grade cervical lesions (CIN II/III and HSIL) remain common, especially in women with CD4 counts below 350 cells/µL.
Key findings include:
- ART adherence and duration correlate with reduced HPV persistence.
- ART alone does not fully prevent cervical disease progression.
The findings underscore the necessity of integrating regular cervical cancer screening into HIV care to effectively manage and reduce cervical cancer risk in this vulnerable population.