LAUSR

Objectives: The burden of cancer attributable to known risk factors has never been estimated in Italy. This study aimed to provide an evidence-based, consistent assessment of the burden of infection-related cancer in Italy. Methods: We calculated the proportion of cancers attributable to infectious agents to estimate the burden of infection-related cancer incidence (2020) and mortality (2017). Data on prevalence of infection were mainly derived from cross-sectional surveys among representative sample of Italian population. Data on relative risk were mainly derived from meta-analysis and large-scale studies. Attributable fraction was calculated based on the counterfactual scenario of no exposure to infection. National registries were used to obtain on the number of cancer cases and deaths. Results: We estimated 7.6% of total cancer deaths occurred in Italy in 2017 were attributable to infections, with higher proportion in men (8.1%) than in women (6.9%). Corresponding figures for incidence in 2020 were 6.9%, 6.1% and 6.5%. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) was the first cause of infection-related cancer deaths, with 3.3% of all cancer deaths and 2.4% of cancer cases followed by Hepatitis C virus (HCV, 1.8% and 1,3%) and Hepatitis B virus (0,9% and 0,6%), Human Papillomavirus 0.6% and 1,0%), Epstein-Barr virus ( 0,3% of both deaths and cases), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (0,9% for both) and Human Herpes Virus- 8 (0,4% and 0,2%). Conclusions: The burden of cancer attributable to infections was higher in Italy than in other high-income countries in which similar studies were conducted, including the US, due to excess Hp and ACV. Most of the cancer burden related to infections in Italy is due to agents for which common therapies (Hp, HCV) or vaccination (HPV, HBV) are available. Screening prevention policies are needed to control these cancers, which are largely avoidable. Population attributable fraction (%) of cancer deaths in selected studies, by sex. Sex Italy United States United Kingdom France Men 8.1 3.4 3.1 3.1 Women 6.9 3.3 4.3 4.4 Citation Format: Giulia Collatuzzo, Paolo Boffetta. Cancers attributable to infectious agents in Italy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3016.