title: HIV protease inhibitors as new treatment options for Kaposi's sarcoma.
abstract: A reduced incidence and regression of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and other tumours has been reported in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients treated with antiretroviral combination therapies containing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PIs) such as indinavir or saquinavir. Indeed, evidence indicates that although PIs were designed to selectively inhibit the HIV protease activity, they can interfere with several cellular pathways and can inhibit tumour growth. In particular, our recent results indicate that doses of indinavir or saquinavir similar to those employed to treat AIDS patients can induce regression of experimental KS by directly blocking two fundamental steps of KS initiation and progression: new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and KS tumour cell invasion. This is because indinavir or saquinavir inhibit the activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), a basement membrane-degrading enzyme, which is required for the progression of most tumours. Based on these results, a multicentre clinical trial is now starting in Italy, which will assess PI effects on the progression of KS in HIV-uninfected individuals (classical KS).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barillari
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sgadari
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toschi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monini
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ensoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors