[Classical form of Kaposi sarcoma: immunology and interferon therapy]

T-lymphocytes and their subsets were determined in three patients with classical Kaposi's sarcoma. A reduction of pan-T-lymphocytes, including both a reduction of T-helper and T-suppressor cells, was found in one patient. None of the patients showed a reduction of the T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratio, as described in the lymphadenopathic disseminated type of Kaposi's sarcoma. Intradermal testing with tuberculin and trichophytin gave no indication of humoral immunodeficiency or anergy. In addition to electron beam irradiation, one female patient was treated with rIFN-alpha-interferon, 6 X 10(6) IU 3 times a week over a period of 3 months, and 18 X 10(6) IU 3 times weekly over 1 month. Under this therapy, irradiated as well as nonirradiated lesions become flatter, reduced in size and faded. The number of T-suppressor cells diminished.