Potential therapeutic efficacy of Ukrain (NSC 631570) in AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma

In this study two case reports are presented of therapy with Ukrain, a semi-synthetic thiophosphoric acid compound of alkaloids isolated from Chelidonium majus L, for the treatment of AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. Ukrain was injected i.v. in the dose of 5 mg every other day for a total of 10 injections. During treatment the Kaposi's sarcoma lesions diminished in size, showed decolouration and no lesion appeared in the 30-day interval after the beginning of treatment. Both patients tolerated Ukrain well and showed an improved immunohaematological status: an increase in total leukocytes, T-lymphocytes and T-suppressor numbers. In one case T-helper lymphocytes were also increased. Future investigations are necessary for the evaluation of Ukrain efficacy in the treatment of this type of patients.