drugs

Drugs to treat Kaposi's Sarcoma

Definition

Kaposi's sarcoma (or disease) refers to a malignant neoplasm in the skin, mucous membranes and viscera: it is a rather rare but very dangerous cancer. Kaposi's disease involves a particular vascular proliferation, responsible for the formation of papules and nodular skin eruptions.

Causes

It has been observed that Kaposi's disease tends to appear more often in immunocompromised individuals, especially AIDS patients or patients who have undergone a kidney transplant. Differently from what happens in the other forms of cancer, in the Kaposi sarcoma the triggering cause has been identified: it is a virus exponent of the Herpes virus family (HHV-8), found in almost all the diagnosed Kaposi's neoplasms.

Categories at risk: AIDS patients, homosexuals, males, Africans

Symptoms

Most often, Kaposi's sarcoma begins with papulo-eczematous lesions on the skin: the clusters of tumor cells form reddish and itchy growths on the skin, richly vascularized. Other less frequent symptoms include sputum blood and breathing difficulties (shortness of breath).

  • Complications: spread of cancer in bones or lymph nodes, swollen and painful legs, shortness of breath, predisposition to infections, persistent cough, death

Information on Kaposi's Sarcoma - Drugs for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Kaposi's Sarcoma - Drugs for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma.

drugs

Before proceeding with the deepening of the different therapeutic options for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma, it is good to spend a few words on the feasible prevention methods. First of all, since the neoplasm is strongly influenced by AIDS, it is recommended to avoid unprotected sex with partners who are potentially at risk. Furthermore, it is advisable to undergo a timely specialized check where abnormal and atypical skin eruptions are formed: early diagnosis is essential for good prognosis, given that it increases the chances of complete recovery.

NB When not treated or neglected, kaposis is deadly

The choice of treatment is heavily influenced by the number and location of the sarcomas, the severity of the symptoms, the stage of progression of the disease and the degree of immunosuppression of the patient.

Among the various therapeutic options, the most important are summarized below:

  • Cryotherapy (ice therapy)
  • Radiation therapy possibly associated with chemotherapy
  • Viral therapy against HIV in association with antineoplastic drugs
  • Surgical therapy (when possible) consists in excising the entire tumor
  • Immunotherapy: this is a biological therapy that uses the same immune system to fight Kaposi's disease. By administering synthetic substances from the outside similar to those synthesized by the body, it is sometimes possible to rebalance the autoimmune system, which fully exerts its activity against malignant cells.
  • Paclitaxel (eg Abraxane, Anzatax, Cantaxel, Paxene, Taxol): for patients with AIDS associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, it is recommended to take the drug at a dose of 135 mg / m2 (three-hour infusion) every three weeks or 100 mg / m2 in three hours every 2 weeks.
  • Doxorubicin (eg. Adriblastina, Caelyx, Doxorubicin ACC, Myocet): the recommended dose is 20mg per square meter of body extension, intravenously, in 30 minutes. The dose can be corrected by the doctor every three weeks, based on the patient's response.
  • Interferon alfa-2b (eg. Introna from 10-18-25 MUI, Viraferon-Peg, Pegintron) [MUI = millions of international units]: indicated for the treatment of AIDS patients and Kaposi's sarcoma. Take 30 million IU / m2 subcutaneously or intramuscularly, three times a week until symptoms recede. Do not continue therapy for more than 16 weeks. Generally, the dosage is decreased during the course of the disease.
  • Interferon alfa-2a (eg Roferon-A, from 3-6-9 MIU / 0.5 ml, Pegasys): belonging to the class of antineoplastic interferons, the drug is administered at the posology of 36 million international units per day, per subcutaneously or intramuscularly, for a period varying from 10 to 12 weeks. Maintenance dose: 36 MIU between times per week.
  • Vinblastine (eg Velbe, Vinblastine TEV) the initial dose is 3.7 mg / m2 intravenously one minute (only application). The drug can also be administered later, but the dose is generally modified, following different patterns depending on the patient; in principle, the second dose is administered at a dosage of 5.5 mg / m2, the third 7.4 mg / m2, the fourth 9.25 mg / m2 and the fifth 11.1 mg / m2. Consult your doctor. Monitor your white blood cell count.
  • Daunorubicin (eg Daunoxome, Daunoblastina): this drug belongs to the class of antibiotics and antineoplastics, and is used in therapy for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma as a first-line drug, especially if the patient is simultaneously suffering from HIV. The recommended dose of this drug is 40 mg / m2 by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes. Repeat the application every 2 weeks. Before administering the drug, the doctor must make sure that the patient with Kaposi's sarcoma has no serious heart problems, and the number of blood components is within the normal range.