Durable remissions with autologous stem cell transplantation for high-risk HIV-associated lymphomas

Blood. 2005 Jan 15;105(2):874-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2004-04-1532. Epub 2004 Sep 23.

Abstract

The treatment of HIV-associated lymphoma has changed since the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. HIV-infected individuals can tolerate more intensive chemotherapy, as they have better hematologic reserves and fewer infections. This has led to higher response rates in patients with HIV-associated Hodgkin disease (HD) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treated with chemotherapy in conjunction with antiretroviral therapy. However, for patients with refractory or relapsed disease, salvage chemotherapy still offers little chance of long-term survival. In the non-HIV setting, patients with relapsed Hodgkin disease (HD) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have a better chance of long-term remission with high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCT) compared with conventional salvage chemotherapy. In a prior report we demonstrated that this approach is well tolerated in patients with underlying immunodeficiency from HIV infection. Furthermore, similar engraftment to the non-HIV setting and low infectious risks have been observed. Herein, we expand upon this early experience with the largest single institution series of 20 patients. With long-term follow-up we demonstrate that ASCT can lead to an 85% progression-free survival, which suggests that this approach may be potentially curative in select patients with relapsed HIV-associated HD or NHL.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Child
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / epidemiology
  • Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction
  • Risk Factors
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Transplantation, Autologous