Malignant melanoma and HIV infection -- aggressive course despite immune reconstitution.
BACKGROUND
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has altered the course of most AIDS-related malignancies. There is some evidence that cellular immunity plays an important role in the progression of metastatic melanoma.


METHODS
We report on a patient suffering from metastatic melanoma and HIV infection. The 53-year-old man received HAART in order to use both its anti-tumor efficacy and its stimulating effect on cellular and humoral immune functions. Furthermore, our patient was treated with interleukin-2, a drug which has shown efficacy in metastatic melanoma and HIV infection.


RESULTS
Although the CD4 and CD8 cell count increased significantly, a fulminant progression of melanoma in the liver and spleen was noted, and the patient died subsequently.


CONCLUSIONS
This case describes that neither immune reconstitution through HAART nor interleukin-2 treatment were able to lead into an anti-tumor response. HIV-infected patients should be monitored routinely for an early diagnosis of this potentially lethal disease.
Hoffmann
Christian
C
II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
Horst
Heinz-August
HA
Weichenthal
Michael
M
Hauschild
Axel
A
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D035583:Rare Diseases; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents