Kaposi's sarcoma. Gastrointestinal involvement correlation with skin findings and immunologic function

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining cancer.
• Gastrointestinal involvement is common in patients with KS.
• Oral mucosal lesions may indicate gastrointestinal disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate gastrointestinal involvement in homosexual/bisexual males with skin Kaposi's sarcoma.
• To correlate gastrointestinal disease with oral lesions, skin findings, and immune status.

Main Methods:

• Biopsy-proven Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) skin lesions in 19 patients.
• Endoscopic evaluation for gastrointestinal and oral mucosal lesions.
• In vitro immunologic assays (natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation).

Main Results:

• Nearly half of patients had oral mucosal lesions.
• 75% of patients with oral lesions also had gastrointestinal lesions.
• Gastrointestinal involvement occurred in 10 of 19 patients, with upper GI tract more common than colon.
• Significant immunosuppression was observed via NK assay and lymphocyte proliferation.

Conclusions:

• Gastrointestinal involvement is frequent in homosexual/bisexual men with KS.
• Oral mucosal lesions are a potential indicator of gastrointestinal disease in KS patients.
• Patients with KS exhibit significant immune dysfunction.