Immunologic Recovery Seen After Chemotherapy for AIDS-Related NHL

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 09 - Patients who have undergone chemotherapy for AIDS-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) along with concomitant highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) do not experience prolonged suppression of immune function, according to UK researchers.

“Both oncologists and HIV physicians have been concerned about the late effects of treatment of AIDS-related NHL on immunological function and recovery following chemotherapy,” lead investigator Dr. Mark Bower told Reuters Health.

In the April 15th issue of Blood, Dr. Bower of Imperial College London and colleagues report on outcomes of 105 consecutive patients with AIDS-related NHL who underwent infusional chemotherapy and HAART.

Of this group, 68 survived for more than 3 months after the end of chemotherapy. The researchers measured their lymphocyte subsets and plasma HIV viral loads for 2 years.

Compared to baseline, there were significant drops in CD4, CD8 and CD19 cell populations during chemotherapy, but no changes in CD56. At 1-year of follow-up, there were significant increases in all of these cell populations. At 2 years, both CD4 and CD19 population were significantly increased compared to the level at 1 year.

“Chemotherapy and concomitant HAART for AIDS-related NHL does not cause prolonged suppression of lymphocyte subsets,” concluded Dr. Bower. “These data should provide reassurance for clinicians concerned about the long term immunosuppressive consequences of chemotherapy in these individuals.”

Source:

1. Immunologic Recovery Seen After Chemotherapy for AIDS-Related NHL