The use of paclitaxel and cisplatin in a patient with epithelial ovarian cancer and human immunodeficiency virus

Objective. Several reports exist of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-posi tive patients developing epithelial ovarian cancer. The optimal chemotherap eutic regimen has been unclear due to potential immunotoxicity from chemoth erapy in these already immunocompromised patients. This is the first report of paclitaxel-based combination chemotherapy in an HIV-positive patient wi th ovarian cancer. Method. A 39-year-old woman with HIV was diagnosed with poorly differentiat ed serous carcinoma. She underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery and receiv ed six courses of paclitaxel and cisplatin. Results. The patient experienced a complete clinical response to therapy wi th no adverse effect on surrogate markers for human immunodeficiency virus (CD4 count, beta 2 microglobulin, neopterin, p24 antigen, and viral load). Conclusion. Paclitaxel- and platinum-based chemotherapy, the standard of ca re for adjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma, is appropriate therapy for ovarian cancer patients with HIV. There is no evidence that the paclitaxel/cisplatin regimen is associated with progression of HIV or incr eased chemotherapy-associated morbidity. (C) 2000 Academic Press.