Lack of activity of zidovudine in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
The efficacy of zidovudine (AZT) for treatment of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma as the initial manifestation of AIDS was determined in a non-randomized, phase-II clinical trial. Twenty-two patients were treated with zidovudine (300 mg 4 times daily for 8 weeks). In patients with stable disease or showing a response, treatment was continued. After 12 weeks the total daily dose was changed to 1000 mg. Only two of all 22 evaluable patients achieved a response (one complete and one partial response), of only brief duration (2 and 4 months, respectively). There was no such association between antiretroviral activity, increase in CD4+ cells and tumour response, as was reported during treatment with human recombinant interferon alpha (IFN-alpha). These findings do not support the use of zidovudine as a first-line treatment for patients with AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
de Wit
R
R
Division of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Reiss
P
P
Bakker
P J
PJ
Lange
J M
JM
Danner
S A
SA
Veenhof
K H
KH
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015215:Zidovudine