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Low dose recombinant interferon alfa treatment for classic Kaposi's sarcoma
E Tur1, S Brenner, R Michalevicz
1Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Israel.
Background:
High doses of interferon alfa are used to treat Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with immunodeficiency, whereas low doses are generally ineffective. Following low-dose recombinant interferon alfa treatment for lymphoma, two patients showed a regression of their hematologic malignancy-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. This observation prompted us also to try low-dose interferon alfa treatment in uncomplicated classic Kaposi's sarcoma, and two additional patients were thus treated on an outpatient basis.
Observations:
Initial response was noted after 3 to 13 weeks of treatment. Remission was achieved after 4 to 6 months of low-dose interferon alfa treatment and its duration was 8 to 14 months. Recurrences were treated again and additional remissions were obtained after only 5 to 8 weeks of treatment.
Conclusion:
Low-dose interferon alfa treatment may represent an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with both lymphoma-associated and uncomplicated classic Kaposi's sarcoma.