Editor's Note: For HIV patients, encountering malignancies is akin to a double blow, exacerbating their already challenging condition. HIV-infected individuals commonly face opportunistic diseases such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Enhancing early diagnosis and treatment of HIV-associated tumors and refining clinical management strategies are critical areas for clinical and research exploration. At the recent 9th Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-infections Conference (APACC 2024), Dr. Rongqiu Liu from Professor Hua You’s team at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University presented two studies on risk prediction models for HIV-associated lymphomas and received conference funding support. "Infectious Diseases Frontier" interviewed Dr. Liu on-site to discuss her team’s research findings and management strategies for patients with HIV-associated malignancies.Infectious Diseases Frontier: First of all, congratulations on receiving full funding for the APACC conference. Could you share your thoughts on winning the award and your expectations for the conference? Among the broad topics in HIV prevention and control, which research areas are you most interested in?
Dr. Rongqiu Liu: Thank you very much. I am honored to be interviewed by “Infectious Diseases Frontier.” When I received the email from the APACC organizers about the full scholarship, I was incredibly excited. I am deeply grateful to the APACC organizers for providing such a platform for learning and exchange; this recognition of our research content is truly encouraging. Special thanks to the team members from Professor Hua You’s team and to our collaborating units, Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University and Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, for their data support. Special thanks also go to Director Haolan He and Dr. Han Zhao from Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, and Director Dong Zhao from Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital for their strong support.
I am very much looking forward to this conference, which includes the latest scientific lectures and clinical practice sharing in the field of AIDS, as well as vibrant content like roundtable forums hosted by medical authorities. I am confident that I will benefit greatly from this meeting. Among the broad topics of HIV prevention and control, my personal research interests lie in how to better utilize AI and machine learning in HIV prevention work and the related ethical issues involved.
Infectious Diseases Frontier: Could you briefly introduce the main content of the two studies you presented at the conference? What potential impacts might these studies have on current clinical practice?
Dr. Rongqiu Liu: Certainly. Our team primarily focuses on hematologic tumors. Given the immunodeficiency of AIDS patients, which makes them prone to lymphoma, we have focused on HIV-associated lymphomas. HIV-associated lymphomas are rare, with limited research and poor prognosis. We focused on the two most common types: AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (AR-DLBCL) and AIDS-related Burkitt lymphoma (AR-BL). Currently, there are no specific prognostic models for these tumor types. Therefore, our research revolves around these diseases. We collected clinical data from patients and conducted a retrospective analysis of their survival outcomes over the past decade to identify independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Using these factors, we developed models that could potentially identify high-risk patients and help in formulating personalized treatment plans based on risk stratification.
These studies have proposed clinical prognostic models for OS and PFS in AR-DLBCL patients, as well as an OS model for AR-BL patients. These models aid in better risk stratification of AR-DLBCL and AR-BL patients, guiding clinical applications. Additionally, our team has also studied HIV-related liver cancer, which was also showcased at this conference. Analyzing and modeling the survival prognosis of HIV-associated tumor patients help differentiate patients by risk levels and provide personalized treatment plans, which is of profound clinical significance.
Infectious Diseases Frontier: What key factors do you think need to be considered in the clinical management of HIV-associated tumor patients?
Dr. Rongqiu Liu: Several aspects are crucial in managing HIV-associated tumor patients. First, it’s important to assess the patient’s immune status, mainly through CD4 cell counts and viral load, to understand the degree of immunosuppression and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Second, adhering to the principle of combining antiretroviral therapy with anti-tumor therapy is essential, considering the interactions between these drugs. Third, it’s necessary to distinguish between different types of tumors, such as AIDS-defining cancers (e.g., Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and non-AIDS-defining cancers, as their treatment methods vary. Fourth, attention should be paid to the patient’s comorbidities, considering other possible diseases like hepatitis or cardiovascular diseases, which might affect treatment. Fifth, ensuring the accessibility of specialized care, providing comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team including oncologists and infectious disease specialists. Lastly, considering psychosocial factors and addressing the patient’s emotional and psychological needs by providing appropriate support is crucial. In summary, effective management of these patients requires a comprehensive and personalized treatment approach, integrating AIDS control and appropriate tumor treatment.
Infectious Diseases Frontier: As an oncologist, what is the significance of focusing on HIV-related cancers?
Dr. Rongqiu Liu: HIV/AIDS has become a chronic disease that can be controlled long-term, and further improving patient survival prognosis and quality of life is the current and future trend. HIV-related malignancies are a significant cause of death in these patients. The importance of focusing on HIV-related cancers can be summarized as follows: First, early diagnosis and personalized treatment can significantly improve the survival rate of patients with HIV-related cancers. Second, managing the combined treatment of HIV and cancer reduces drug interactions and side effects, improving the patient’s quality of life. Third, promoting research progress and deeply studying the mechanisms of HIV-related cancers helps develop new therapeutic strategies and drugs. Fourth, improving comprehensive care and focusing on the overall health of HIV patients provides more comprehensive medical services and promotes patient recovery. In conclusion, focusing on HIV-related cancers not only improves individual patient outcomes but also contributes to advancements in the medical field.
