IngentaConnect Non-human immunodeficiency virus Kaposi's sarcoma can be effectiv...

Authors: Deichmann¹; Thome¹; JÄckel¹; Utermann¹; Bock¹; Waldmann¹; NÄher¹

Source: British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 139, Number 6, December 1998 , pp. 1052-1054(3)

Abstract:

Three patients, negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with histologically and polymerase chain reaction-proven non-HIV Kaposi's sarcoma who received low-dose interferon (IFN) as first-line treatment because of disseminated symptomatic disease are reported. Applying 3-18 million IU of IFN-α2a per day, 3 days a week, subcutaneously for 8-20 months, major responses were achieved in all three cases. Tumour regression was observed within 4 months and has continued for 57 and 18 months to date (cases 1 and 2, respectively). Influenza-like symptoms, including fever, headaches and fatigue, were mild side-effects. However, in the third patient interferon injections had to be stopped because of hepatic enzyme elevation. Including this case report, 27 non-HIV Kaposi's sarcoma patients subcutaneously treated with IFN-α have been reported in literature. Most therapy regimens included 3-18 million IU IFN-α per day for 3 days a week. Twenty of 27 patients, or 74%, responded to therapy, whereas seven patients or 26% had stable or progressive disease. Relapse after IFN withdrawal can occur but is frequently delayed and limited, as in case 1. Following the response to IFN treatment, human herpesvirus-8 DNA was detected in the blood mononuclear cells of all three patients, possibly contributing to future relapses.

Document Type: Original article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02564.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany

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Non-human immunodeficiency virus Kaposi's sarcoma can be effectively treated with low-dose interferon-α despite the persistence of herpesvirus-8