Liposomal doxorubicin in pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma: improved survival as compared to patients without liposomal doxorubicin.

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in HIV-infected patients is characterised by a poor prognosis with a mean survival time of 2 to 6 months. Our goal was to evaluate survival in patients with pulmonary KS treated with Stealth liposomal doxorubicin (SL-DOX) and to compare it with patients without SL-DOX therapy.

PATIENTS AND THERAPY

29 AIDS patients with confirmed pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma were studied. Group 1 (n = 20): Patients treated with SL-DOX. Group 2 (n = 9): 4 patients who received bleomycin and vinblastine or vincristine and 5 patients without chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier plot showed a significant benefit for patients with SL-DOX treatment. Mean survival times were 11.8 +/- 1.78 months (group 1: range 1-28) versus 4.4 +/- 1.68 months (group 2; range 1-17). Average CD4 levels did not differ significantly at diagnosis of pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma. Clinical response included improvement of general health, particularly cough and dyspnea, of arterial pO2 and radiographic KS pattern in the lung.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis suggests a clear survival and quality of life benefit for patients with pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma on liposomal doxorubicin.