HIV Virus Now in the List of US Department of Health and Human Services 14th Report on Carcinogens

Highlights:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has updated its list of carcinogens adding five viruses and two chemicals.
While most of these are known to be carcinogenic in humans, cobalt and cobalt compounds that release cobalt ions in vivo is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
However, exposure to these carcinogens does not mean that the person will definitely suffer from cancer.

Five viruses and two other substances have been added to the list of carcinogens in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 14th Report on Carcinogens prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The total number of carcinogens in this list is now 248.

Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer. The new additions to the list include the following:

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‘Carcinogens or cancer substances are a part of our environment but do not always cause cancer.’

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1): The HIV-1 virus that causes AIDS reduces immunity. It makes the patient susceptible to infections, which can be serious enough to cause death. In addition, the patient has to deal with increased chances of developing cancers. Different types of cancers that are often noted in patients with AIDS include:

The blood cancers non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphomas
Anal cancers
Genital cancers like penile cancers in males and vaginal/vulvar and cervical cancers in females
Kaposi sarcoma which causes oral and mucous membrane lesions
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Eye cancer
Possibly oral-related cancers, liver and lung cancer

Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1): The HTLV-1 virus belongs to the retroviral group of viruses, of which HIV virus is also a member. It causes a type of cancer that specifically infects the white blood cells called adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): The EBV commonly causes a condition called infectious mononucleosis or glandular fever with symptoms similar to those of flu-like fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. The condition is common in teenagers and is usually not associated with any complications. However, in very rare, it can cause cancers which include:

Lymphomas or blood cancers like Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, immune-suppression-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and nasal type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma
Other cancers like throat (nasopharyngeal) cancer and some types of stomach cancer

Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpes Virus (KSHV): KSHV is a virus that is associated with Kaposi sarcoma, a cancer that is noted in HIV-infected patients. In addition, it has also been associated with two other types of blood cancers - primary effusion lymphoma and a specific plasmablastic variant of multicentric Castleman disease.

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCV): MCV is a common virus found on the skin and is usually harmless. However, there have been cases when the virus has caused a type of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma is a highly aggressive type of skin cancer that appears as a flesh-colored or a bluish colored nodule. It spreads fast to deeper organs and can even be fatal.

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Other additions to the list include:

Trichloroethylene (TCE): Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a chemical used as an industrial solvent. It has been associated with kidney cancer, due to which it has made up to the list of carcinogens.

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Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds that Release Cobalt Ions In Vivo: Cobalt and cobalt compounds that release cobalt ions in the body may cause cancer. These compounds are classified as carcinogens based on experimental studies. Thus, while the above six additions are known to be human carcinogens, this group is classified as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Failed surgical implants are a common source of cobalt ions which could be carcinogenic. The ions that are released in the body can damage DNA and cause cancer.

By including these viruses and substances on the list of carcinogens, people can be warned about the possibility of cancer on exposure to them, and can take adequate precautions to prevent exposure or get themselves regularly screened for the appearance of cancer. However, it must be remembered that infection caused by these viruses or exposure to the chemicals does not definitely mean that every person exposed to them will suffer from cancer. In fact, the chances of cancer even in those exposed are very low. Also, the list is primarily applicable for those in the United States.

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Pollution levels inside cars stuck in traffic jams and traffic signals are significantly higher compared to cars moving down the road.

References:

What is the Report on Carcinogens? - (https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/seven-substances-added-14th-report-carcinogens)
Seven substances added to 14th Report on Carcinogens - (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/report_on_carcinogens_14th_edition_the_508.pdf)

Source-Medindia