The role of chemotherapy for epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma. 1987

P A Volberding

Studies of classic, and especially African, Kaposi's sarcoma in the 1970s showed that both forms of the disease respond to cytotoxic chemotherapy. The agents that had proven effective against these forms of neoplasm were among the first to be tried for managing epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS). Thus far, single-agent regimens using either vinblastine, vincristine, or etoposide have apparently shown the greatest efficacy in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, with overall response rates of up to nearly 90% in some trials. Various combination regimens have been studied with a view to reducing side effects, particularly immune suppression, while maintaining overall efficacy. Thus far, only an alternating regimen of vinblastine and vincristine shows promise. Despite intrinsic shortcomings, chemotherapy, using cytotoxics alone or in combination with biologic response modifiers and other modalities, will play a role in managing EKS, even as the search for the optimal regimen continues.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008727 Methotrexate An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA. Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D001761 Bleomycin A complex of related glycopeptide antibiotics from Streptomyces verticillus consisting of bleomycin A2 and B2. It inhibits DNA metabolism and is used as an antineoplastic, especially for solid tumors. BLEO-cell,Blanoxan,Blenoxane,Bleolem,Bleomicina,Bleomycin A(2),Bleomycin A2,Bleomycin B(2),Bleomycin B2,Bleomycin Sulfate,Bleomycins,Bleomycinum Mack,Bléomycine Bellon,BLEO cell,BLEOcell,Bellon, Bléomycine,Mack, Bleomycinum,Sulfate, Bleomycin
D005047 Etoposide A semisynthetic derivative of PODOPHYLLOTOXIN that exhibits antitumor activity. Etoposide inhibits DNA synthesis by forming a complex with topoisomerase II and DNA. This complex induces breaks in double stranded DNA and prevents repair by topoisomerase II binding. Accumulated breaks in DNA prevent entry into the mitotic phase of cell division, and lead to cell death. Etoposide acts primarily in the G2 and S phases of the cell cycle. Demethyl Epipodophyllotoxin Ethylidine Glucoside,Celltop,Eposide,Eposin,Eto-GRY,Etomedac,Etopos,Etoposide Pierre Fabre,Etoposide Teva,Etoposide, (5S)-Isomer,Etoposide, (5a alpha)-Isomer,Etoposide, (5a alpha,9 alpha)-Isomer,Etoposide, alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl Isomer,Etoposido Ferrer Farma,Exitop,Lastet,NSC-141540,Onkoposid,Riboposid,Toposar,VP 16-213,VP-16,Vepesid,Vépéside-Sandoz,Eto GRY,Etoposide, alpha D Glucopyranosyl Isomer,NSC 141540,NSC141540,Teva, Etoposide,VP 16,VP 16 213,VP 16213,VP16,Vépéside Sandoz,alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl Isomer Etoposide
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993. AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D000970 Antineoplastic Agents Substances that inhibit or prevent the proliferation of NEOPLASMS. Anticancer Agent,Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Agent,Antineoplastic Drug,Antitumor Agent,Antitumor Drug,Cancer Chemotherapy Agent,Cancer Chemotherapy Drug,Anticancer Agents,Antineoplastic Drugs,Antineoplastics,Antitumor Agents,Antitumor Drugs,Cancer Chemotherapy Agents,Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Agents,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Drug,Agent, Anticancer,Agent, Antineoplastic,Agent, Antitumor,Agent, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Anticancer,Agents, Antineoplastic,Agents, Antitumor,Agents, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Chemotherapy Agent, Cancer,Chemotherapy Agents, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drug, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drugs, Cancer,Drug, Antineoplastic,Drug, Antitumor,Drug, Cancer Chemotherapy,Drug, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Drugs, Antineoplastic,Drugs, Antitumor,Drugs, Cancer Chemotherapy
D000971 Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols The use of two or more chemicals simultaneously or sequentially in the drug therapy of neoplasms. The drugs need not be in the same dosage form. Anticancer Drug Combinations,Antineoplastic Agents, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocols,Antineoplastic Drug Combinations,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocols,Chemotherapy Protocols, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Regimens,Combined Antineoplastic Agents,Agent, Combined Antineoplastic,Agents, Combined Antineoplastic,Anticancer Drug Combination,Antineoplastic Agent, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocol,Antineoplastic Drug Combination,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocol,Chemotherapy Protocol, Antineoplastic,Chemotherapy Protocol, Cancer,Chemotherapy Protocols, Cancer,Combinations, Antineoplastic Drug,Combined Antineoplastic Agent,Drug Combination, Anticancer,Drug Combination, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Anticancer,Protocol, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocol, Cancer Chemotherapy,Protocols, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocols, Cancer Chemotherapy
D012514 Sarcoma, Kaposi A multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas. The tumors have endothelium-lined channels and vascular spaces admixed with variably sized aggregates of spindle-shaped cells, and often remain confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but widespread visceral involvement may occur. Kaposi's sarcoma occurs spontaneously in Jewish and Italian males in Europe and the United States. An aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of Africa. A third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients. There is also a high incidence in AIDS patients. (From Dorland, 27th ed & Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 3d ed, pp2105-7) HHV-8 is the suspected cause. Kaposi Sarcoma,Kaposi's Sarcoma,Multiple Idiopathic Pigmented Hemangiosarcoma,Kaposis Sarcoma,Sarcoma, Kaposi's
D014747 Vinblastine Antitumor alkaloid isolated from Vinca rosea. (Merck, 11th ed.) Vincaleukoblastine,Cellblastin,Lemblastine,Velban,Velbe,Vinblastin Hexal,Vinblastina Lilly,Vinblastine Sulfate,Vinblastinsulfat-Gry,Sulfate, Vinblastine
D014750 Vincristine An antitumor alkaloid isolated from VINCA ROSEA. (Merck, 11th ed.) Leurocristine,Citomid,Farmistin,Oncovin,Oncovine,Onkocristin,Vincasar,Vincasar PFS,Vincristin Bristol,Vincristin medac,Vincristine Sulfate,Vincrisul,Vintec,cellcristin,PFS, Vincasar,Sulfate, Vincristine

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