Immunological and virological aspects of autologous stem cell transplantation in HIV+ patients

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an effective therapeutic option in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated lymphomas (HIV-L). This review will focus on the experimental and clinical data regarding the effects of ASCT on the reconstitution of lymphocyte subsets, T-cell repertoire and thymic function in HIV-L patients. Current data on the kinetics of reactivation of HIV, Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and hepatitis C virus during mobilization and after reinfusion of stem cells will be also analyzed.