Current opinion in oncology
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Human immunodeficiency virus infection is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Even with a decrease in AIDS-defining illnesses after the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma remains an important problem. ⋯ Outcomes of HIV-non-Hodgkin lymphoma are improving with the routine use of highly active antiretroviral therapy and combination chemotherapy. For aggressive HIV-non-Hodgkin lymphoma, infusional chemotherapy regimens are well tolerated and lead to complete response in about 50-75% of cases and a 2-3 years overall survival of 40-60%. The potential benefit of adding rituximab to combination chemotherapy may be offset by infectious complications in severely immunosuppressed patients. HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma should be treated with an intensive regimen rather than standard cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone-like chemotherapy. Autologous stem cell transplantation should be considered for selected patients with relapsed or refractory HIV-non-Hodgkin lymphoma.