Staging should be according to the Ann Selleckchem PFT�� Arbor classification/Cotswolds modification system [24]. Prognostic factors for survival in the pre-HAART era were predominantly immunological (prior ADI and low CD4 cell count) [25,26]. Factors that are associated with survival in the post-HAART era are the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (Tables 4.2–4.4) [17,27] and in some studies, the CD4 cell count at diagnosis, with a CD4 cell count less than 100 cells/μL predictive of a worse outcome [28]. In two studies performed by the AIDS-Malignancies

Consortium (AMC) in the US, patients with a CD4 count of <50 cells/μL treated with either R-CHOP or R-EPOCH experienced a high rate of infection-related mortality (35–40%) [19,27]. Whether improved infection surveillance and prophylaxis ACP-196 clinical trial or alternative approaches are warranted for this subgroup remains unclear, as this has not been noted in other studies [29]. We recommend that all patients have pathology and treatment plans reviewed by a specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT) and that management is co-ordinated closely with an HIV physician and a haemato-oncologist familiar with the treatment of such patients (level of evidence 1D). Prior to the introduction

of HAART, treatment with standard-dose chemotherapy induced high levels of toxicity. Improvements in chemotherapy response rates were generally Gefitinib mouse offset by increased death due to opportunistic infection [33,34]. The introduction of HAART

has led to better control of HIV viral replication and improved immune function, and the incorporation of haematopoietic growth factors (G-CSF) into treatment protocols has allowed for the introduction of increasingly myelotoxic regimens. This has allowed conventional chemotherapy regimens in use in the HIV-negative setting, such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone), to be used as first-line treatment in HIV-positive patients and outcomes are now similar for those with and without HIV infection [15,16]. The infusional regimen, dose-adjusted (DA) EPOCH (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and hydroxydaunorubicin) has been favoured over CHOP chemotherapy in some US centres, due to superior response rates, survival and lower rates of infectious death observed when compared to historical data [18–20,35]. The DA-EPOCH regimen is based on in vitro studies demonstrating that prolonged exposure to low doses of chemotherapy agents can overcome tumour resistance as compared to brief exposure to high concentrations [36,37]. Dose adjustment to the neutrophil nadir minimizes haematological toxicity [38]. However, CHOP and EPOCH have not been compared in a randomized study.