Autologous stem cell transplantation using MEAM regimen for relapsed AIDS-related lymphoma patients who received highly active anti-retroviral therapy: a report of three cases

Abstract

AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) is a serious complication of HIV infection. We performed MEAM (MCNU + etoposide + cytarabine + L-PAM) regimen with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for three patients with refractory or relapsed ARL. All three patients had been treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) during the course of the treatment regimen and ASCT. The regimen was well tolerable, and no uncontrollable infection was noted. All patients are still alive and maintain complete remission at 24, 20 and 9 months after transplantation. ASCT using MEAM regimen as a conditioning regimen was feasible for our patients with refractory or relapsed ARL.