An HIV positive haemophiliac with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia successfully treated with intensive chemotherapy and syngeneic bone marrow transplantation.
A 26-year-old HIV positive severe haemophiliac developed Burkitt-type acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with intracranial involvement. He underwent standard combination therapy, and entered complete remission. Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was undertaken; the donor was also HIV positive. The patient died 18 months from transplant of isolated intracranial relapse, with no evidence of systemic relapse. Unlike other types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's type occurs in HIV positive patients with relatively normal CD4 cell counts. Remission can be achieved using intensive chemotherapy, and since these patients may otherwise have a reasonable life expectancy, BMT may be appropriate.
Turner
M L
ML
Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
Watson
H G
HG
Russell
L
L
Langlands
K
K
Ludlam
C A
CA
Parker
A C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D003561:Cytarabine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate