title: [Disseminated mucocutaneous Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS. Clinical and therapeutic experiences in 13 patients].
abstract: Since 1980 a new epidemic form of disseminated mucocutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) with a progressive clinical course has been observed in populations at risk. Since 1982, 13 cases of AIDS-associated KS have been seen in our department; all of them were in young homosexual males with circulating HIV antibodies and a reduction in the ratio of T-helper to T-suppressor lymphocytes (0.05-1.3). Following systemic treatment with recombinant alpha A-interferon (rIFN-alpha A) over a period of 6 months (18 million IU/day for 3 months; later 18 million IU/3 X weekly) together with other concomitant measures (superficial X-ray radiation, argon laser radiation, surgical excision of isolated lesions) we registered complete remission of the remaining lesions in 2 cases, progression of the disease in 4 cases, and at least temporary stabilization of the disease in 7 cases. In 4 patients opportunistic infections occurred during rIFN treatment: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) with lethal outcome in 2 cases, atypical mycobacteriosis in 2 cases, and Legionella pneumoniae infection in 1 case. Two additional deaths were registered due to PCP appearing during the post-treatment period. Life-threatening virus infections were not observed during rIFN treatment. Out of 9 patients receiving prophylactic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole medication, only 1 developed allergic exanthema as a result of this drug combination. Occasionally, rIFN-induced leukopenia was seen and pronounced thrombocytopenia appeared in 1 patient during treatment. Overall, systemic rIFN therapy was well tolerated; its long-term administration in patients with AIDS-associated mucocutaneous KS seems to be well justified according to these preliminary observations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
vernacular_title: Disseminiertes mukokutanes Kaposi-Sarkom bei AIDS. Klinische und therapeutische Erfahrungen an 13 Patienten.