Advances in Kaposi's sarcoma.
KS remains a challenge to clinicians and investigators more than a century after its initial description. Debate continues as to the cell of origin, as well as whether or not it is a true cancer. KS appears to be an opportunistic neoplasm, which in its earliest phase retains some features of a benign hyperproliferative process, but in its late stages behaves like an aggressive malignancy. Pathogenesis seems to involve a predisposed individual (genetically susceptible or immunologically compromised) who comes into contact with an infectious agent, most likely a virus. Cytokines appear to play a major role in the growth of the tumor. The exact role of the KSHV in this process will likely be the subject of much investigation in the future.
Myskowski
P L
PL
Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Ahkami
R
R
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*