title: Development of Kaposi's sarcoma under sirolimus-based immunosuppression and successful treatment with imiquimod.
abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm typically observed in the immunocompromised patient populations, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or transplant patients. KS can appear simultaneously at multiple sites as red to purple, maculo-papular or nodular cutaneous lesions sometimes showing a visceral extension. Sirolimus, an immunosuppressive agent with potent antitumor activity, has been effective in combating post-transplant KS. However, an aggressive regimen of immunosuppression for therapy of severe acute rejection episodes may abolish the antitumor effects of sirolimus. The following is a description of KS development under immunosuppressive therapy with sirolimus, and the successful treatment of KS lesions utilizing the topical application of imiquimod 5% cream, an immune response modifier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Campus Virchow Clinic, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany. nina.babel@charite.de
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Babel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eibl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bold
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sefrin
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosenberger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reinke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod; D020123:Sirolimus