Treatment of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with chemotherapy (CNOP) and r-hu-G-CSF: Clinical outcome and effect on HIV-1 viral load

Purpose: The optimal treatment of AIDS-related NHL (ARL) has yet to be defined. The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the CNOP-regimen (cyclo-phosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine, and prednison) in combination with G-CSF; and 2) to study the effect of this regimen on HIV-1 viral replication. Patients and methods: A phase II study was performed in 21 previously untreated patients with ARL. Results: Based on intention to treat, the response rate was 43%: four complete and five partial remissions. Median survival was only five months. Only one patient had an opportunistic infection during treatment; three patients had localized infections and one episode of septicaemia was seen. Remarkably, during treatment, in 94% of cases p24 antigen levels either remained undetectable or showed a substantial decrease, even though antiretroviral therapy had been discontinued just prior to the first cycle of chemotherapy in all patients. HIV-1 RNA load decreased or remained unchanged in 82% of patients and increased in three patients. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate, 1) that the CNOP-regimen in combination with G-CSF, although associated with a low risk of both opportunistic and bacterial infections, can not be recommended in the treatment of ARL; but 2) that G-CSF can be used safely to sustain haematopoiesis in patients with ARL treated with chemotherapy.