Multiple myeloma and human immunodeficiency vivus-1 (HIV-1) infection

Multiple myeloma (MM) in three human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected patients is reported. HIV infection predisposes to the development of high- grade B-cell lymphomas, but few cases of plasma cell tumours in association with HIV have been reported. The coincidence of HIV infection and neoplasi a highlights the distinct roles of immunodeficiency and infection with herp esviridae, including HIV itself, in the pathogenesis of HIV-related tumours , In addition, a number of cytokines (e.g,, interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and angio genic factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and basic fi broblastic growth factor [bFGF]) may play a role in the initiation, mainten ance, and progression of multiple myeloma (MM), Infection was the first cli nical consideration to the cause of the illness in two of our HIV-seroposit ive patients. The diagnosis of MM may be difficult in patients with advance d HIV infection as they often have renal failure, bone marrow plasmacytosis , repeated infections, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, due to HIV i nfection itself, opportunistic pathogens, and/or medication, (C) 2001 Wiley -Liss, Inc.