Efficacy of Rituximab and Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone (CHOP) in Patients With HIV Associated Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Efficacy of Rituximab and Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone (CHOP) in Patients With HIV Associated Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Most treatment procedures in AIDS-related lymphomas disclose a relatively poor outcome for
 patients with low response rates, high number of relapses and AIDS events. The addition of
 rituximab to the standard regimen - CHOP could improve the outcome of these patients. The aim
 of the trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rituximab when added to the CHOP
 regimen in patients with newly diagnosed AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
HIV infection is associated with a high incidence of AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL). Since the
 use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses
 has decreased, leading to a significant improvement in survival of HIV-infected patients. The
 incidence of ARL has decreased in a lower degree and lymphoma remains the major cause of
 death of HIV patients. Most treatment procedures disclose a relatively poor outcome of
 patients with low response rates, high number of relapses and AIDS events. Since the majority
 of HIV-associated NHL are CD20-positive the addition of rituximab to the standard regimen -
 CHOP could improve the outcome of these patients
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  HIV positive with a high grade Ann Arbor stage I to IV untreated non-Hodgkin's
 lymphoma of B-cell origin confirmed by biopsy. The following histologies are eligible:
 *Burkitt's lymphoma, *diffuse large B-cell with standard histological diagnosis,
 *Burkitt-like and high grade large cell immunoblastic lymphoma with immunophenotyping
 CD20 positive

 -  Good and intermediate prognostic group (no more than one of the following prognostic
 factors: *CD4 below 100/µl, *history of opportunistic infection, *Karnofsky index
 below 60 percent or ECOG over 2)

 -  Written inform consent to participate

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Active viral hepatitis

 -  Pregnancy