HIV-Related Lymphomas and the COVID-19 Pandemic

The management of HIV-related lymphomas has become increasingly complex due to COVID-19, necessitating a shift in treatment protocols to minimize viral exposure while managing cancer progression.

These intertwined challenges drive the need for coordinated treatment strategies, especially as healthcare systems adapt. Outpatient chemotherapy administration and multidisciplinary coordination may, in select settings, offer pathways to improve patient safety and treatment continuity.

Drug interactions between specific COVID-19 therapeutics and antiretrovirals, along with concerns regarding vaccine efficacy in immunocompromised populations, further complicate care. Carefully integrating treatments for people with HIV is key, with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir representing a key DDI concern, remdesivir generally compatible, and most monoclonal antibodies having limited activity against current variants.

Clinically, standardized pathways help teams move faster and safer: routine drug–drug interaction workups before prescribing antivirals, ART reconciliation at each oncology visit, and vaccination timing scripts tied to chemotherapy cycles reinforce consistency under pressure.

Finally, feedback loops matter: brief post-cycle tele-checks, dashboard tracking of missed doses and breakthrough infections, and rapid huddles after near-misses help refine protocols in real time and keep the narrative of safety and efficacy aligned.