Liposomal doxorubicin for treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Sixteen patients with advanced AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma received liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil, Liposome Technology, Menlo Park, California) at 20 mg/m2 every 2 or 3 weeks in an open label study, and were evaluated for efficacy and toxicity. Eleven patients achieved a partial remission and five had stable disease. The median time to achieve a maximum response was two cycles (range 1-3) and the median duration of response was 14 weeks (range 6-30). Myelosuppression was the commonest adverse event; one patient was withdrawn because of neutropenia. Other adverse events were uncommon and mild. Liposomal doxorubicin is an effective and safe single agent treatment for advanced AIDs-related Kaposi's sarcoma.