Persistent Oral HPV Among Diverse PLWH: A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Feasibility and Acceptability of Testing for Oral HPV DNA Infection With Mail-delivered Sample Collection Kits
People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) have an estimated 1.6-6.0 times increased risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) compared with individuals in the general population. 70% of OPCs are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), and PLWH also have an increased prevalence of oral HPV infection. Disparities by race/ethnicity also include a later stage of diagnosis and less frequent cancer-directed treatment for members of ethnic minority groups. There is little known regarding the racial/ethnic differences in oral HPV infection, persistence of oral HPV infection, or progression of oral HPV infection to OPC among PLWH. This is an observational, prospective cohort study to investigate the feasibility of alternative sample collection methods for HPV testing among PLWH.
• Over 35 years of age
• Member of a sexual or gender group considered sexual minority men (men who have sex with men, trans-women)
• Person living with HIV
• Willing and able to receive a package through United States (US) postal service
• Willing and able to return a package through FedEx
• Able to attend a clinic visit at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Mt. Zion campus