Objective:

To explore the potential of targeted maternal screening for HTLV-1 to prevent adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in high-risk populations.

Key Findings:

• ATLL incidence is significantly higher among non-Hispanic Caribbean-born individuals compared to US- or Canada-born populations.
• Florida and New York show disproportionately high ATLL incidence rates linked to large Caribbean-born populations.
• HTLV-1 testing is not routinely performed, leading to misclassification of ATLL cases.

Interpretation:

The findings indicate a critical need for improved diagnostic practices and preventive measures for high-risk populations to reduce ATLL incidence.

Limitations:

• The study relies on existing cancer registry data, which may not capture all cases accurately.
• HTLV-1 testing is not standard, potentially leading to underreporting of ATLL cases.

Conclusion:

Integrating HTLV-1 testing into prenatal care and diagnostic pathways could enhance early detection and prevention of ATLL, ultimately reducing its burden.