Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Treatment of HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) (Meeting abstract).
Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Cancer Res; 14:A831 1995. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/95613983 Aversa SM; Cattelan AM; Salvagno L; Chiarion-Sileni V; Carretta M; Fiorentino M; Department of Medical Oncology, Padova, Italy
Abstract:
Objectives: assessing (1) the efficacy and toxicity of low dose chemotherapy in patients (pts) with poor prognosis AIDS-related KS, (2) the role of moderate dose IFN in complete responders. Pts and methods: since June 1993 all pts with Mitsuyasu stage II-IV KS were treated with bleomycin (BL) 10/mg/m2 + vinblastine (VB) 6 mg/m2 dl-15 , every 2 weeks. After 6 cycles if the pts were in complete remission (CR) they started INF, 3 MU sc three times per week combined with AZT 250 mg po bid. In case of myelosuppression the pts received G-CSF according to the neutrophil count. Cotrimoxazole plus itraconazole were also given during all courses to prevent opportunistic infections. To date 18 males were enrolled: 14 homosex and 4 bisex; median age was 42.5 yr (range 24-64); stage II: 9; stage III: 1; stage IV: 7 pts. Median CD4+ count was 18.5/ml (range 0-565). The mean number of cycles was 4.5 (2-6). 12 pts are currently evaluable for response (4 pts had less than 2 chemotherapy cycles; 1 died early for sepsis and 1 refused to continue chemotherapy). The overall response rate is 83% (4 CR + 6 PR); the median response duration has been 4.5 months (1-9). Three of the 4 pts in CR received INF combined with AZT but they relapsed within 3 months. The main WHO toxicities during chemotherapy were neutropenia in 2 pts (Grade 3-4), anemia in 2 other (Grade 3) and alopecia in 3 pts (Grade 3). One pt during INF+AZT required interruption for neutropenic fever (Grade 4). Conclusion: In our experience chemotherapy with BL plus VB is effective and well tolerated also in poor risk pts affected with KS. Moderate dose INF during CR does not seem to prolong response. These suggestive data need confirmation on a larger pt series.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS/DRUG THERAPY Adult Antineoplastic Agents, Combined/*THERAPEUTIC USE Bisexuality Bleomycin/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE Drug Administration Schedule Homosexuality, Male Human HIV Infections/*COMPLICATIONS Male Middle Age Neoplasm Staging Sarcoma, Kaposi's/*DRUG THERAPY/*ETIOLOGY/PATHOLOGY Vinblastine/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE Zidovudine/THERAPEUTIC USE ABSTRACT CLINICAL TRIAL 951230
M95C3206
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
