Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common malignancy that affects patients with HIV infection. Considerable progress has recently been achieved in understanding the pathogenesis of this vascular malignancy. A novel herpesvirus has been detected in KS lesions of all types, in skin-lesions of post-transplant immunosuppressed individuals and in various lymphoproliferative disorders. Apart from this, the increased severity of this neoplasm in patients infected with HIV may be due to HIV-derived tat protein synergising with cytokines and chemokines with angiogenetic activity. Finally, the lower incidence of the malignancy in females may be related to a protective effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), presumably mediated by its effect on microvasculature. All these advances suggest new possibilities in the management of the disease.
AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: principal pathogenic mechanisms
Silvestris, N
1999-01-01
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common malignancy that affects patients with HIV infection. Considerable progress has recently been achieved in understanding the pathogenesis of this vascular malignancy. A novel herpesvirus has been detected in KS lesions of all types, in skin-lesions of post-transplant immunosuppressed individuals and in various lymphoproliferative disorders. Apart from this, the increased severity of this neoplasm in patients infected with HIV may be due to HIV-derived tat protein synergising with cytokines and chemokines with angiogenetic activity. Finally, the lower incidence of the malignancy in females may be related to a protective effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), presumably mediated by its effect on microvasculature. All these advances suggest new possibilities in the management of the disease.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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