Multi-Organ Failure as the Initial Presentation of Lymphocyte-Depleted Hodgkin Lymphoma in Two Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Patients with HIV-associated lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma (HIV-HL) often present with advanced, extranodal disease and aggressive clinical features, limiting definitive therapeutic intervention. Here we report two patients with HIV-HL who presented with multi-organ dysfunction as an initial manifestation of their malignancy. Both were initially treated with brentuximab vedotin (BV), which led only to a temporary partial response, highlighting the challenges of treatment. One patient was eventually started on nivolumab and responded very well to the immune checkpoint inhibitor. To our knowledge, this is the first case to describe successful use of nivolumab in a patient with relapsed lymphocyte-depleted HIV-HL. Prompt recognition of multi-organ dysfunction as an initial presentation of lymphocyte-depleted HIV-HL is essential to ensure rapid provision of therapy. While use of BV remains a reasonable option, earlier introduction of immunotherapy in the treatment of HL may provide an additional option in critically ill patients with lymphocyte-depleted HIV-HL.