(ATDN) New Information gathering study for KS

(ATDN) New Information gathering study for KS

Treatment Review #16; January 1995

Kaposi's sarcoma, or KS, is a cancer that may be caused by a sexually transmitted virus. KS can appear as lesions on the surface of the skin that can start as small brown or red spots, raised or flat. Sometimes they go away on their own. Lesions can be treated with local treatments such as injections of anti-cancer drugs directly into the lesions. KS lesions can also appear internally. If the KS spreads internally, chemotherapy is usually necessary. Chemotherapies are drugs given by injection and by infusion.

Recent articles in the New York Times and other newspapers and journals reported on the findings of a research team at Columbia of a virus that might be associated with KS. Though the researchers haven't identified the virus, it seems to be a herpes virus. What they did find was genetic material in samples taken from KS lesions that may indicate an infection with a common virus.

A study has just started in New York City to find out more about KS.

Information gained from this study may help lead to new areas of research to find a treatment for KS. This information gathering study will look at skin samples (biopsies) from KS lesions to find out more about the lesions. Urine samples will also be taken to determine whether angiogenesis causes lesions to grow. Angiogenesis is when blood vessels grow. This is a normal part of wound healing, but with some cancers the process gets out of control.

The biopsies taken in the study will be compared to ones taken from people who have KS but are not HIV+. Biopsies will only be taken from lesions that have not received local treatment such as cryotherapy or injections of chemotherapy. Some participants will be asked to return for second biopsies, blood and urine samples. HIV-negative men will serve as controls from whom biopsies from healthy skin will be obtained, as well as blood and urine samples.

A control is a group in the study that can be used for comparison. Participants with KS cannot have received systemic therapy as treatment. While on the study, you cannot take steroids or experimental treatments for KS.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1995. AEGIS.