title: Pilot study of oral valganciclovir therapy in patients with classic Kaposi sarcoma.
abstract: We conducted a clinical trial of oral valganciclovir, a drug with in vitro activity against Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), in classic KS. Five human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative participants received valganciclovir for up to six 4-week cycles at doses used for cytomegalovirus infection. None of the study subjects showed an objective response; KS progressed in 4 subjects after 1-4 cycles and remained stable in 1 subject after 6 cycles. KS biopsies showed minimal lytic KSHV antigen and gene expression at baseline and no treatment-associated changes. Although valganciclovir was not active against KS in this setting, other appropriately targeted anti-herpesviral strategies may prove to be more effective.
authors: Melanoma and Sarcoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA. krowns@mskcc.org
authors: Susan E
authors: SE
authors: Krown
authors: Dirk P
authors: DP
authors: Dittmer
authors: Ethel
authors: E
authors: Cesarman
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077562:Valganciclovir
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D015774:Ganciclovir