Human chorionic gonadotropin in the treatment of HIV-related Kaposi's sarcoma

To evaluate the antineoplastic activity of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the treatment of HIV-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), two clinical trials focusing on two different schedules of administration and types of hCG preparation were conducted. In the low-dose group, hCG (Profasi-HP) was administered three times a week intramuscularly at a dose ranging from 4000 to 32,000 IU for 4 months and no objective response was observed among 5 evaluable patients. In the high-dose group, hCG (Gonadotrafon) was given intramuscularly three times a week at a dose ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 IU for 3 months with 1 partial response among 8 evaluable patients. In 6 patients evaluated for HIV viral load, no significant reduction in HIV viraemia was observed. In conclusion, hCG showed very limited activity against KS and no influence on HIV viral load, along with emerging dose-limiting toxicity and high cost of the therapy.