title: AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma can occur during peginterferon-α and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Before the arrival of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), interferon α has been used successfully to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Peginterferon-α (pegIFN-α) may still be used successfully in refractory KS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peginterferon-α and ribavirin (RBV) were initiated to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in an HIV-infected patient with high CD4 counts having discontinued antiretroviral therapy (ART). He developed disseminated KS 6 months after HCV treatment began. Beginning of ART, discontinuation of pegIFN/RBV, and 2 cycles of doxorubicine were necessary to treat KS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its activity on KS, thanks to its antiviral and antiangiogenic properties, PegIFN was unable to prevent the occurrence of severe KS. The absence of ART, despite high CD4 counts, and interferon-induced lymphopenia probably triggered the occurrence of KS in this patient.
authors.affiliation: 1Infectious Diseases Department, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Victoire
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Lastours
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pavie
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delaugerre
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Molina
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D060085:Coinfection; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a