Autoimmunity due to human immunodeficiency disease virus (HIV-1) infection may be explained by activation of the helper T cell. This phenomenon originates in the ontogenic duplicity of immunocytes recognizing self and nonself at the same time. This paradoxical behavior of the immune system is also observed in the senescence of individuals. The proliferative and functional 'stampede' of autoreactive helper T cells induced by HIV-1 may be considered as the progression of senescence or the acquisition of limited autonomy of immunity. According to this hypothesis, tumors except for T cell line tumors associated with HIV-1 infection can be explained by the secondary augmentation of other cell lines due to cytokines. It is suggestive that immunosuppressive agents with cytocidal effects on helper T cells improve acquired immunodeficiency due to HIV-1 and that these agents are effective in the treatment of malignancies associated with HIV-1 infection.

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