Novel pharmacological therapies for the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common cancer associated with AIDS. KS aetiology and pathogenesis are still poorly defined and no definitive treatment has yet been identified. However, the introduction in 1996 of highly active antiretroviral therapy as a standard of care for those infected with HIV-1 determined a strong protection against the development of opportunistic infections, as well as a remission of pre-existing complications, including KS. Under highly active antiretroviral therapy, KS in particular has shown the highest clinical response rate reported to date among AIDS patients. Furthermore, recent insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in KS development have provided new hope for a response and improved survival in patients with AIDS-related KS. This paper presents an overview of the current knowledge concerning pharmacological approaches to treating this disease. Newer treatments such as PEGylated liposomal anthracyclin, paclitaxel and pathogenesis-based strategies are also discussed.
Cattelan
Anna Maria
AM
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy. amcattelan@libero.it
Trevenzoli
Marco
M
Aversa
Savina Maria Lucia
SM
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents