The ANCHOR Study
“Treatment of Anal High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions to Prevent Anal Cancer”
20%
20%
The ANCHOR study marks a breakthrough in preventing anal cancer, offering hope for reduced cases and better screening to prevent the resurgence in survivors.
Urgent Need to Screen and Treat Anal Precancerous Conditions
Although anal cancer is rare, advanced cases and mortality rates are rising. A big factor is due to late detection linked to poor survival and treatment causing significant side effects. Unlike cervical cancer, which saw an 80% reduction through screening, no screening guidelines exist for anal cancer.
Populations at Risk for Anal Cancer
People with immune suppression for solid organ transplants
Patients who are HIV positive
Women with a history of vulvar, cervical HSIL, cervical cancer
Goal of the study:
Anal cancer, like cervical cancer, is caused by HPV 16 and is preceded by high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), or anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) 2 or 3. The ANCHOR study researches whether treating anal HSILs could similarly reduce progression to anal cancer, as seen with cervical HSIL treatment.
The Study
HIV-positive people, who are more likely to get anal cancer, were studied.
They were divided into two groups:
- Group 1: Received no treatment but was watched closely
- Group 2: Received treatment for anal HSIL with different methods
Patients were treated until HSIL was gone and had check-ups every six months. If anyone was found to have cancer, they were immediately referred for treatment.
Highly Promising Results
After 25.5 months,
The treatment group had 9 anal cancer cases
The monitoring group had 21, indicating a 57% lower incidence in the treatment group.
This suggests that treating precursors may help prevent anal cancer.
