Work

Pilot Study of Oral Valganciclovir Therapy in Patients With Classic Kaposi Sarcoma

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: We conducted a clinical trial of oral valganciclovir, a drug with in vitro activity against Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), in classic KS. Five human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative participants received valganciclovir for up to six 4-week cycles at doses used for cytomegalovirus infection. None of the study subjects showed an objective response; KS progressed in 4 subjects after 1-4 cycles and remained stable in 1 subject after 6 cycles. KS biopsies showed minimal lytic KSHV antigen and gene expression at baseline and no treatment-associated changes. Although valganciclovir was not active against KS in this setting, other appropriately targeted anti-herpesviral strategies may prove to be more effective.

Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiq177

Authors: Susan E. Krown, Dirk P. Dittmer, Ethel Cesarman

Institutions: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Viral-associated cancers and disorders

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Institutes of Health