The role of infections in the causation of cancer in Kenya

Abstract

Cancer constitutes a major health care burden in the world today with the situation worsening in resource poor settings as seen in most Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Infections constitute by far the most common risk factors for cancer in SSA and being a typical country in this region, Kenya has experienced an upsurge in the incidence of various types of cancers in the last few decades. Although there is limited population-based data in Kenya of infections-associated cancers, this review provides an up-to-date literature-based discussion on infections-associated cancers, their pathogenesis, and preventive approaches in the country. The primary infectious agents identified are largely viral (human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus (HPV), Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus, Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus), and also bacterial: Helicobacter pylori and parasitic: Schistosomiasis haematobium. Cancers associated with infections in Kenya are varied but the predominant ones are Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, cervical, liver, and gastric cancers. The mechanisms of infections-induced carcinogenesis are varied but they mainly seem to stem from disruption of signaling, chronic inflammation, and immunosuppression. Based on our findings, actionable cancer-preventive measures that are economically feasible and aligned with existing infrastructure in Kenya include screening and treatment of infections, implementation of cancer awareness and screening, and vaccination against infections primarily HBV and HPV. The development of vaccines against other infectious agents associated with causation of cancer remains also as an important goal in cancer prevention.