Bevacizumab plus irinotecan-, fluorouracil-, and leucovorin-based chemotherapy with concomitant HAART in an HIV-positive patient with metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background: In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), malignancies are the primary cause of increased mortality in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, hence representing a new challenge for oncologists. To date, there is little evidence in the English literature about chemotherapy treatment in HIV-positive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Case report: We describe the case of an HIV-positive 48-year-old male patient with metastatic colorectal cancer, treated with a bevacizumab, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin regimen, with concomitant HAART. No opportunistic infections and grade 3-4 haematological and non-haematological toxicity were reported. The HIV infection was kept under control during the bevacizumab chemotherapy treatment.

Conclusions: This case suggests that, in the HAART era, the best multidisciplinary approaches can be offered to HIV-positive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, who have a good performance status and a well controlled HIV infection. An HIV infection should not preclude the use of the best available chemotherapy treatment in this particular group of patients, including targeted/biological drugs.