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Review
. 2020 Mar;32(2):122-128.
doi: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000601.

Update on oncogenesis and therapy for Kaposi sarcoma

Nicolas Dupin  1
Affiliations
Review

Update on oncogenesis and therapy for Kaposi sarcoma

Nicolas Dupin. Curr Opin Oncol. 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review is an update of the recent findings on pathophysiology of Kaposi sarcoma, the role of HHV-8 in Kaposi sarcoma pathogenesis and to summarize the recent advances in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma and the role of immunity to control the disease.

Recent findings: The causal agent of Kaposi sarcoma is HHV-8 and the mechanism by which HHV-8 drives the tumor development is unique. HHV-8 is not a classic oncogenic virus and the disease is an opportunistic tumor responding to immune restoration when it is possible.

Summary: Five epidemiologic types of Kaposi are recognized and HHV-8 is associated to all epidemiologic forms of Kaposi. HHV-8 is a virus favoring both angiogenesis and cellular proliferation, which are the two main histological features of Kaposi sarcoma. Although in many cases, treatment of Kaposi sarcoma is not necessary, specific chemotherapy, immunomodulation and immune stimulation are the tools for treating Kaposi sarcoma. Monochemotherapy has been shown to be as efficient as polychemotherapy and less toxic. Immune checkpoint inhibitors gave some promising results, which should be confirmed by prospective studies.

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MeSH terms