Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in HIVPositive and HIV-Negative Patients with Lymphoma: A Propensity Score Matched Comparative Analysis

Treatment of HIV-associated lymphoma (HIV-Ly) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has shown to be feasible and effective. In this study we compare the clinical outcomes of HIV-Ly and lymphomas of the general population receiving ASCT, analyzing two series of consecutive HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, based on a 1:1 propensity score match analysis. Forty-four patients were identified in both groups. Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from ASCT to relapse, progression or death for any cause, was significantly higher in HIV-positive patients (4-year PFS 81% and 51%, in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, respectively, p = 0.027). The 4-year OS was 81% in HIV-positive and 67% in HIV-negative patients (p = 0.15). The relapse rate was significantly higher in HIV-negative patients (36% vs. 23%) (p = 0.04). Our results increase the awareness of ASCT as an effective curative option for HIV-Ly and show for the first time better PFS and a low relapse rate after ASCT in patients with HIV compared to patients without, in a statistically reliable manner.