Da-Epoch Was Not Better Than Chop For Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome-Related Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated In A South Brazilian University Hospital

Introduction: Lymphomas are an important complication of HIV infection where they occur with high frequency and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.The most prevalent lymphoma subtype in HIV positive population is the diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLCBL). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and intensive chemotherapy have been introduced to these patients aiming to increase their response to treatment. Recently, dose adjusted-EPOCH (DA-EPOCH) was associated with better outcome when compared with CHOP. Since these publications, many centers in the world started treating HIV DLBCL patients with EPOCH. In Brazil, Rituximab is not allowed for the treatment of HIV lymphomas (any subtype) in the public health system, so HIV DLBCL patients usually are treated with CHOP or DA-EPOCH.