Highlights of This Issue

The risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is greatly increased in HIV infection. Breen and colleagues evaluated whether elevated levels of molecules associated with B-cell activation precede the diagnosis of AIDS-associated NHL. Serum levels of seven B-cell activation-associated molecules were determined in 179 NHL cases and HIV⁺ controls 0 to 5 years before AIDS-NHL diagnosis. Six of the seven markers were significantly elevated in the AIDS–NHL group, compared with HIV⁺ controls. This study is consistent with the hypothesis that chronic B-cell activation contributes to the development of NHL in HIV⁺ patients.

The effect of body mass index and physical activity on mortality in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. To address this question, Baade and colleagues followed 1,825 patients with CRC for 5 years using questionnaires and medical records. Participants with some level of physical activity had lower risk of all-cause mortality within 5 years of CRC diagnosis, compared with sedentary participants. In addition, increases in physical activity within 5 to 12 months after diagnosis were associated with reduced CRC-specific mortality. These results underscore the importance of interventions to increase activity levels among patients diagnosed with CRC.

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) accumulate in tissues during aging, particularly under hyperglycemia conditions. AGEs induce oxidative stress and inflammation via the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) can neutralize the effects mediated by the RAGE/ligand engagement. Jiao and colleagues examined the association between serum levels of sRAGE and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk among 29,133 Finnish male smokers. They found that higher prediagnostic levels of serum sRAGE were associated with lower risk of CRC in male smokers. This study suggests a role for the RAGE/ligand axis in CRC development.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines represent a breakthrough in cervical cancer prevention, but little is known about vaccination uptake among U.S. low-income, ethnic minority, and immigrant populations. To address this question, Bastani and colleagues conducted telephone interviews among low-income, ethnic minority, and immigrant mothers of vaccine-eligible girls to assess vaccine awareness, knowledge, and uptake. Only 29% of the daughters had initiated the vaccine, and only 11% received all three recommended doses. Ethnic differences were observed in HPV awareness, perceived risk, and other immunization-related beliefs. Mothers of unvaccinated girls felt they lacked information about the vaccine. Perhaps culturally targeted message interventions would enhance HPV vaccine knowledge for some ethnic minority populations.