Treatment of recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma of an AIDS patient with weekly paclitaxel

Abstract

Paclitaxel was recently recognized as an active chemotherapeutic agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). However, the best way to administer paclitaxel in AIDS-KS patients remains unknown. Herein, we reported an AIDS-associated KS patient whose disease progressed on the first-line chemotherapy with doxorubicin and bleomycin, but later responded well to weekly 1-hour infusion of 70 mg/m2 paclitaxel. It is particular noteworthy that this weekly dosing schedule resulted in almost negligible toxicities. The authors suggested a prospective study of weekly paclitaxel for AIDS-KS should be started as soon as possible.