Therapeutic trial of interferon-gamma in patients with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma.
An epidemic form of Kaposi's sarcoma associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome has been recently described. Seven homosexual men with biopsy-documented epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma were treated with a human interferon-gamma preparation. All patients had generalized disease. Only one patient had received prior chemotherapy, and one other patient had recovered from a prior opportunistic infection. Interferon-gamma was administered in a dose of 500,000 U intramuscularly daily, with two 10-day induction courses, separated by a 2-week medication-free period. This was followed by maintenance therapy in the same dose twice weekly. Toxicities consisted of a flu-like illness with high fevers, shaking chills, myalgias, and arthralgias. There were no complete or partial responses. All patients exhibited disease progression, with a rapid progression of previously stable disease necessitating discontinuation of therapy in three patients. We conclude that low doses of this human interferon-gamma preparation are ineffective in epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma.
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000906:Antibodies; D007371:Interferon-gamma