Cellular immune responses and disease control in acute AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) specific T cell responses and KSHV viremia were analyzed in seven HIV-infected patients with active Kaposi's sarcoma lesions who initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy, and were compared between patients with improved Kaposi's sarcoma and those with progressive Kaposi's sarcoma requiring further systemic chemotherapy. Patients with controlled Kaposi's sarcoma disease demonstrated undetectable Kaposi's sarcoma viremia together with KSHV-specific CD8 T cells secreting interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas progressors showed increasing viremia with weak or no T-cell responses. These data point toward a potential role of KSHV-specific immunity in the control of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
Bihl
Florian
F
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Berger
Christoph
C
Chisholm
John V
JV
Henry
Leah M
LM
Bertisch
Barbara
B
Trojan
Andreas
A
Nadal
David
D
Speck
Roberto F
RF
Flepp
Markus
M
Brander
Christian
C
Mueller
Nicolas J
NJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000208:Acute Disease; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load