Biomaterial Database

Recombinant interferon alpha in the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related Kaposi's sarcoma. 1985

P A Volberding, and R Mitsuyasu

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is more virulent than previously reported cases of KS and affects a much younger population. The cell of origin is lymphatic endothelium, with the histopathology characterized by a proliferation of small vessels with abnormal endothelial cells, extravasated erythrocytes, and spindle-shaped-cell infiltration. Clinical manifestations are pigmented, nodular lesions affecting the skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and/or visceral organs. The head and oral cavity, uncommon sites in other KS populations, are frequently involved. Pain is not an early part of the clinical picture. AIDS-related KS is often widespread and rapidly progressive. However, the cause of death in most cases is attributed to opportunistic infection, which is believed to increase as a result of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Recombinant interferon alpha has been the most thoroughly tested of immune-stimulating or nonimmunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of AIDS-related KS. An objective antineoplastic response rate (25% to 60%) comparable to single-agent chemotherapy with vinblastine or VP-16 has been demonstrated in several trials. Response rates to interferon alpha may be enhanced by such factors as absence of lymphoma-like B symptoms, low levels of circulating acid-labile interferon alpha, and absent history of recent serious infection. Varied drug dose, schedule, and route of administration have been employed; doses equal to or greater than 30 million U/day administered intravenously or intramuscularly appear to give the best results. Daily dosing regimens may induce tolerance for subjective toxicities (eg, fever, asthenia, and anorexia), which are often dose limiting. Direct immune stimulation following treatment with interferon alpha has not been conclusively established, but evidence suggests that respondents have low rates of opportunistic infection. Other recent studies demonstrate interferon alpha inhibiting activity against the AIDS-associated retrovirus in vitro and trials in vivo are in progress to define the clinical relevance of this observation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007370	Interferon Type I	Interferon secreted by leukocytes, fibroblasts, or lymphoblasts in response to viruses or interferon inducers other than mitogens, antigens, or allo-antigens. They include alpha- and beta-interferons (INTERFERON-ALPHA and INTERFERON-BETA).	Interferons Type I,Type I Interferon,Type I Interferons,Interferon, Type I,Interferons, Type I
D011994	Recombinant Proteins	Proteins prepared by recombinant DNA technology.	Biosynthetic Protein,Biosynthetic Proteins,DNA Recombinant Proteins,Recombinant Protein,Proteins, Biosynthetic,Proteins, Recombinant DNA,DNA Proteins, Recombinant,Protein, Biosynthetic,Protein, Recombinant,Proteins, DNA Recombinant,Proteins, Recombinant,Recombinant DNA Proteins,Recombinant Proteins, DNA
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
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
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