AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common tumor associated with HIV-1 infection. Kaposi's sarcoma is seen most frequently among homosexual or bisexual men, the reasons for which are unknown. Culture of Kaposi's sarcoma spindle cells has been very useful to study various biologic features of the tumor and to develop novel drug therapy. Treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma is planned based on tumor burden, immunologic status of the patient, and bone marrow rescue. All treatment types at present only provide palliation, whereas efforts to find more effective therapy and possibly preventive therapy are in progress.