Population‐based outcome analysis of diffuse large B ‐cell lymphoma in people living with HIV infection and competent individuals. Hematological Oncology
Conconi et al. aimed to compare the clinical features, prognostic variables, and the clinical outcome of a series of consecutive acquired immunodeficiency syndrome related diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (AR‐DLBCL) patients from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, with those of a series of consecutive immunocompetent (IC)-DLBCL patients from 2 centres in Switzerland and Northern Italy.
Fifty‐eight AR‐DLBCLs from the SHCS were compared with 326 ICDLBCLs treated with a combination of rituximab and CHOP or a CHOP‐like chemotherapy. Median follow‐up was 6 years; 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 68% (95% CI: 63%‐73%) in IC‐DLBCL and 63% (95% CI: 49%‐75%) in AR‐DLBCL (P = .220). Among 148 patients younger than 61 years treated with RCHOP/RCHOP‐like regimens, 20 IC‐DLBCL and 9 AR DLBCL patients died and OS was not significantly different. A higher proportion of early deaths occurred in the AR‐DLBCL: indeed, 1‐year OS was 94% (95% CI: 87%‐97%) in IC‐DLBCL and 82% (95% CI: 66%‐91%) in AR‐DLBCL patients.
In conclusion, after rituximab and active antiretroviral therapy introduction, AR‐DLBCL and IC‐DLBCL patients treated with curative intent have similar long‐term survival. The data support the current guidelines that HIV‐infected persons on ART with DLBCL should receive the same therapeutic approach as IC individuals.