Liposomal doxorubicin in the treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: clinical, histological and cell biological evaluation.
AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in eight patients was treated with the systemic application of liposomal doxorubicin (20 mg/m2 per cycle). After six cycles of treatment a significant regression of KS was observed in all patients. Tumour volume was reduced from 556 +/- 635 mm3 before therapy to 42 +/- 134 mm3 after therapy as determined by ultrasonography of selected tumours. Histological examination revealed a reduction of tumour-like structures and the absence of KS spindle cells in involved areas after therapy. In vitro experiments with KS-derived cell cultures, which most likely represent the KS spindle cells, suggested that liposomal doxorubicin may cause regression of KS via two different mechanisms: (i) by highly specific inhibition of KS spindle cell proliferation and (ii) by induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in KS spindle cells, which may result in increased recruitment of phagocytic cells (monocytes/macrophages) into the lesions. A cooperative action of both mechanisms may explain the high efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin in the treatment of AIDS-KS.
Stürzl
M
M
Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Abteilung Virusforschung, Martinsried Germany.
Zietz
C
C
Eisenburg
B
B
Goebel
F D
FD
Gillitzer
R
R
Hofschneider
P H
PH
Bogner
J R
JR
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D008081:Liposomes; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D004317:Doxorubicin