Liposomal
Daunorubicin for the Treatment of Kaposi's Sarcoma  | Kaposi's
sarcoma |
Treatment
of Kaposi's
sarcoma (KS) with liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome), a form of the drug encased
in lipid bubbles, is associated with fewer side effects and similar efficacy compared
with other therapeutic options, according to a study presented at the XVI International
AIDS Conference in Toronto. Despite
the potency and widespread use of HAART, people with HIV continue to experience
opportunistic infections and malignancies,
including KS. Researchers
conducted a retrospective study to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of
liposomal daunorubicin versus other agents in 76 AIDS patients with KS admitted
to a specialized public HIV/AIDS treatment facility in São Paulo, Brazil
from 1998 through 2000. The
researchers obtained socio-demographic, immunological, virological, and laboratory
data from medical records. They recorded information about AIDS-defining conditions,
diagnoses and dates of opportunistic infections and cancers, other clinical conditions,
antiretroviral drugs used, other medications, adverse side effects, and evolution
of KS lesions and outcomes. Among
the 76 patients, 71 were men and 5 were women; the mean age was about 37 years.
The mean baseline CD4 and CD8 cell counts were 160 and 896 cells/mm3, respectively,
and the mean HIV viral load was 3.8 log copies/mL. The mean and median follow-up
periods were 977 person-days and 809 person-days, respectively.
The following
treatments were used: 
31 patients used liposomal daunorubicin, including 2 who used it in association
with vincristine, and 2 who used it with vincristine plus bleomycin
45 patients used various other regimens:
- 24 vincristine alone;
- 7
vincristine/bleomycin/adriamycin;
- 4 vincristine/bleomycin;
- 4 vincristine/vinblastine;
-
2 vinblastine alone.
1 person each used vincristine/adriamycin, vincristine/vinblastine/bleomycin,
vinblastine/bleomycin/doxorubicin, and bleomycin monotherapy.
Results
After 30-180 days of follow-up, 77.3% of patients on liposomal daunorubicin responded
to treatment, compared with 65.7% using other treatment options (a non-significant
difference).
Side effects were recorded for 7 out of 31 patients (22.6%) using liposomal daunorubicin,
compared with 29 out of 45 patients using other treatment options (64.4%) (P <
0.05).
The most frequently reported adverse effects were peripheral neuropathy and pancytopenia
(blood cell deficiencies).
Conclusion Based
on these results, the authors concluded, "Liposomal daunorubicin is associated
with less side effects while retaining good activity for the treatment of Kaposi's
sarcoma in AIDS patients." 08/29/06 Reference
J
Madruga, F Araujo, A C A Bandeira, and F Marcacao. Treatment of Kaposi's Sarcoma
with Liposomal Daunorrubicin (daunoxome) is associated with less side effects
and similar efficacy compared to other treatment options. XVI International AIDS
Conference. Toronto, August 13-18, 2006. Abstract C12648.
| 
