E Tur1, S Brenner, R Michalevicz. 1. Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: High doses of interferon alfa are used to treat Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with immunodeficiency, whereas low doses are generally ineffective. Following low-dose recombinant interferon alfa treatment for lymphoma, two patients showed a regression of their hematologic malignancy-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. This observation prompted us also to try low-dose interferon alfa treatment in uncomplicated classic Kaposi's sarcoma, and two additional patients were thus treated on an outpatient basis. OBSERVATIONS: Initial response was noted after 3 to 13 weeks of treatment. Remission was achieved after 4 to 6 months of low-dose interferon alfa treatment and its duration was 8 to 14 months. Recurrences were treated again and additional remissions were obtained after only 5 to 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon alfa treatment may represent an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with both lymphoma-associated and uncomplicated classic Kaposi's sarcoma.
BACKGROUND: High doses of interferon alfa are used to treat Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with immunodeficiency, whereas low doses are generally ineffective. Following low-dose recombinant interferon alfa treatment for lymphoma, two patients showed a regression of their hematologic malignancy-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. This observation prompted us also to try low-dose interferon alfa treatment in uncomplicated classic Kaposi's sarcoma, and two additional patients were thus treated on an outpatient basis. OBSERVATIONS: Initial response was noted after 3 to 13 weeks of treatment. Remission was achieved after 4 to 6 months of low-dose interferon alfa treatment and its duration was 8 to 14 months. Recurrences were treated again and additional remissions were obtained after only 5 to 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon alfa treatment may represent an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with both lymphoma-associated and uncomplicated classic Kaposi's sarcoma.
Authors: P Monini; F Carlini; M Stürzl; P Rimessi; F Superti; M Franco; G Melucci-Vigo; A Cafaro; D Goletti; C Sgadari; S Butto'; P Leone; C Chiozzini; C Barresi; A Tinari; A Bonaccorsi; M R Capobianchi; M Giuliani; A di Carlo; M Andreoni; G Rezza; B Ensoli Journal: J Virol Date: 1999-05 Impact factor: 5.103