This phase II trial studies the immune response after stem cell transplant in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with hematologic cancer (blood cancer). Studying samples of blood from HIV-positive patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in the immune system after stem cell transplant.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Examine the development of donor-derived HIV-1-specific immune response following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) for treatment of hematologic malignancy in HIV+ patients.

II. Examine the affect of HCT on the pool of latently infected cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells in HIV+ patients given HCT for treatment of hematologic malignancy.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo leukapheresis for analysis of HIV-1 latent reservoir at baseline and at days +90, +180, +365, and +730, and then annually thereafter as feasible.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV positive
• Treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 1 month
• Viral load has decreased by >= 1.5 logs or viral load < 5000 copies/ml plasma on HAART therapy
• Hematologic malignancy associated with a poor prognosis or other diagnosis for which hematopoietic cell therapy (allogeneic or autologous, including gene therapy) is indicated
• Approval for allogenic regimen given at Patient Care Conference
• DONOR: Autologous or allogeneic gene modified cells allowed

Exclusion Criteria:

• A medical history of noncompliance with HAART or medical therapy
• Inability to provide informed consent
• DONOR: Allogeneic donors must not have HIV infection