Improved outcome with rituximab in patients with HIV-associated multicentric Castleman disease

Blood. 2011 Sep 29;118(13):3499-503. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-02-333633. Epub 2011 Jul 21.

Abstract

Although HIV-associated multicentric Castleman disease (HIV-MCD) is not classified as an AIDS-defining illness, mortality is high and progression to lymphoma occurs frequently. At present, there is no widely accepted recommendation for the treatment of HIV-MCD. In this retrospective (1998-2010), multicentric analysis of 52 histologically proven cases, outcome was analyzed with respect to the use of different MCD therapies and potential prognostic factors. After a mean follow-up of 2.26 years, 19 of 52 patients died. Median estimated overall survival (OS) was 6.2 years. Potential risk factors, such as older age, previous AIDS, or lower CD4 T cells had no impact on OS. Treatment was heterogeneous, consisting of cytostatic and/or antiviral agents, rituximab, or combinations of these modalities. There were marked differences in the outcome when patients were grouped according to MCD treatment. Patients receiving rituximab-based regimens had higher complete remission rates than patients receiving chemotherapy only. The mean estimated OS in patients receiving rituximab alone or in combination with cytostatic agents was not reached, compared with 5.1 years (P = .03). Clinical outcome and overall survival of HIV-MCD have markedly improved with rituximab-based therapies, considering rituximab-based therapies (with or without cytostatic agents) to be among the preferred first-line options in patients with HIV-MCD.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Castleman Disease / diagnosis
  • Castleman Disease / drug therapy*
  • Castleman Disease / etiology
  • Castleman Disease / mortality
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / mortality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab

Supplementary concepts

  • Multi-centric Castleman's Disease