The management of lymphoma in the immunosuppressed patient

Two forms of acquired immunodeficiency have dominated the last quarter of the twentieth century and are responsible for the majority of lymphomas in the immunosuppressed: post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) and AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL). The central role of Epstein-Barr virus in PTLD has led to novel treatment strategies designed to enhance immunity to this virus both as prevention and therapy. This is achieved by reducing iatrogenic immunosuppression and adoptive immunotherapy with allogeneic cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Improved immune function in HIV seropositive patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy appears to be reducing the relative risk of AIDS-related lymphoma. However, ARL will remain a frequent diagnosis with the rapidly rising incidence of HIV throughout the world. The clinical management requires expertise in both the lymphoma chemotherapy and the treatment of HIV, including antiretroviral therapy and opportunistic infection management. Modest improvements in survival have been achieved recently for ARL.