Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for HIV-positive patients with hematologic malignancies

HIV-positive patients with hematologic malignancies are frequently not considered for treatment with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) because of reported high morbidity and mortality with this procedure and scant published experience. Advances in HIV care and supportive care for allo-HSCT prompted us to review our experience since 2010, after we instituted multidisciplinary management of HIV-infected patients during the peritransplant period.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of all HIV-positive patients who received allo-HSCT at our institution since 2010.

Five patients with various hematologic malignancies received allo-HSCT from matched related (two) or unrelated (three) donors since 2010. All patients received tenofovir (TDF)/emtricitabine in combination with either efavirenz (one) or raltegravir (four) and engrafted a median of 17 days after transplant. The most common infection was cytomegalovirus viremia, with six episodes in four patients, controlled with antivirals. There was no transplant-related mortality. Three patients relapsed 6, 7, and 13 months after transplant, and two were alive and well after 42 and 55 months. HIV viral load remained undetectable and CD4 cell count increased progressively. One patient had acute renal failure and improved with hydration and replacement of TDF with abacavir.

Our patients received allo-HSCT without transplant-related mortality or major infectious complications. Their HIV viral load remained undetectable without the use of protease inhibitors or need to discontinue antiretroviral therapy. One patient had acute renal failure that resolved after discontinuation of TDF. Our findings support considering selected HIV-infected patients for allo-HSCT when indicated for the management of their hematologic malignancies.