title: Treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma and thrombocytopenia with vincristine in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma occurs in about one third of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Although in some patients the tumor is principally a cosmetic problem, other patients have progressive disease with significant morbidity. Twenty-three patients with Kaposi's sarcoma related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were treated with vincristine. Three patients had a coexisting immune thrombocytopenia. Of the 18 patients evaluable for response, 11 had a partial response and 7 had a minor response. The median duration of partial response was 4 + months. All 3 thrombocytopenic patients developed a significant increase in platelet count, which in 2 was sustained with continued treatment for 6 and 9 months, respectively. We conclude that vincristine has antitumor activity in the epidemic form of Kaposi's sarcoma and that it is also effective in the treatment of associated immune thrombocytopenia.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mintzer
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Real
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jovino
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Krown
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D010976:Platelet Count; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine