Treatments of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2005 Mar;53(3):253-65. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2004.10.009.

Abstract

Although Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has decreased in countries where the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen is available, however it remains, after non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, the most common malignancy in HIV+ patients. Advances in the treatment of AIDS-KS have been achieved, even though a gold standard therapy has not been yet defined. With the availability of HAART, a dramatic KS clinical response has been documented, making HAART essential in all patients. In case of aggressive and/or life threatening KS, more complex therapeutic schedules have to be taken into account, including chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Liposomal anthracyclines and paclitaxel have been approved by FDA as first line and second line mono-therapy, respectively. Interferon-alpha (INF-alpha) is the only immunomodulant agent to have shown a therapeutic effect. Among the new drugs, many antiangiogenetic agents have produced encouraging responses. Finally, the identification of the HHV-8 as a causative agent and new metalloproteinase inhibitors may offer promising targets for the KS treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Algorithms
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / etiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / therapy*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antiviral Agents