In patients with HIV-associated high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), cART + EPOCH is well-tolerated and appears to lead to faster immune recovery, according to a recent study. However, survival outcomes are similar to those who received delayed cART treatment. Participants with HIV-associated high-grade B-cell NHL received DA-EPOCH with rituximab. cART was given with the treatment or delayed. Investigators looked at pharmacokinetic, immunological, and treatment effects of concurrent vs delayed cART. Among the results:

• CD4 counts dropped in all patients.
• The counts recovered to higher than baseline in the cART group 6 months after EPOCH.
• HIV viral load decreased during chemotherapy in the cART group.
• Viral load increased in the non-cART group.
• Grade ≥3 infectious, hematologic, and neurological toxicities were similar in both contingents.
• Concurrent cART was not linked with better 1-year event-free or overall survival.