Multiple myeloma in a patient with AIDS

Abstract

Several haematological neoplastic diseases and solid tumours have been associated with
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, and many times are the presenting
form of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The association of multiple
myeloma (MM) and AIDS has been controversial, and we have found only a few cases
described to date.
This association can be due to the co-infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), with
the herpes virus 8 (HV8) or by chronic antigenic stimulation of the HIV infection.
The A.A. present the case of a 65-year-old patient, with multiple bony lesions,
monoclonal gammopathy IgG l and a bone marrow aspiration with 70% plasma cells. A
diagnosis of MM in stage IIIa was made and the patient started doxorubicin, vincristine
and dexamethasone. He remained in complete remission after three cycles. The serology
for HIV-1 was positive, presenting initially 220 CD4/ml and HIV-1 viral load of 29 084
copies/ml. He initiated antiretroviral therapy with AZT+3TC+indinavir. After four years
of follow-up, the patient has no symptoms nor signs of relapse of the MM.