RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Human papillomavirus and HIV coinfection and the risk of neoplasias of the lower genital tract: a review of recent developments JF Canadian Medical Association Journal JO CMAJ FD Canadian Medical Association SP 431 OP 434 VO 169 IS 5 A1 Alex Ferenczy A1 François Coutlée A1 Eduardo Franco A1 Catherine Hankins YR 2003 UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/169/5/431.abstract AB ONE OF THE RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) INFECTION and subsequent lower genital tract neoplasias and cancers is impaired cell-mediated immunity. HIV-positive women with severe immunosuppression are 5 times more likely than HIV-negative women to have lower genital tract neoplasias. A corresponding increase in the risk of invasive vulvar and anal cancers, but not of cervical cancer, has also been observed among HIV-positive women. Treatment failure and recurrence of neoplasia occur much more frequently among HIV-positive than among HIV-negative women. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the relation between HIV and HPV coinfection and the development of lower genital tract neoplasias and cancers in women. In addition, we present strategies for monitoring and treating noninvasive and invasive neoplasias of the lower genital tract in HIV-positive women.