TY - JOUR
T1 - Combination of vinblastine and bleomycin as first line therapy in advanced classic Kaposi's sarcoma
AU - Brambilla, Lucia
AU - Miedico, A.
AU - Ferrucci, S.
AU - Romanelli, A.
AU - Brambati, M.
AU - Vinci, M.
AU - Tedeschi, L.
AU - Boneschi, V.
PY - 2006/10
Y1 - 2006/10
N2 - Background: Classic KS (CKS) mainly affects elderly people, has an irregular course, and is relatively benign for years. However, sometimes the disease may progress rapidly and spread to internal organs, thus necessitating systemic chemotherapy. We therefore decided to carry out a prospective trial using vinblastine and bleomycin, which are active, easy to administer and control, and low cost. Methods: We treated 29 patients affected by CKS with vinblastine i.v., up to 10 mg in combination with bleomycin i.m., 15 IU every 3 weeks. We administered a median of seven cycles of therapy. Results: All the 29 enrolled patients were evaluated: 21% reached a complete response and 76% had an intermediate response. Toxicity was limited. The maximal response was attained in a median of 5 months, with a mean duration of 4 months. Conclusion: The combination of vinblastine and bleomycin achieved a high rate of objective responses in a subgroup of elderly and symptomatic patients, without considerable toxicity. We recommend the combination as first line chemotherapy for advanced CKS.
AB - Background: Classic KS (CKS) mainly affects elderly people, has an irregular course, and is relatively benign for years. However, sometimes the disease may progress rapidly and spread to internal organs, thus necessitating systemic chemotherapy. We therefore decided to carry out a prospective trial using vinblastine and bleomycin, which are active, easy to administer and control, and low cost. Methods: We treated 29 patients affected by CKS with vinblastine i.v., up to 10 mg in combination with bleomycin i.m., 15 IU every 3 weeks. We administered a median of seven cycles of therapy. Results: All the 29 enrolled patients were evaluated: 21% reached a complete response and 76% had an intermediate response. Toxicity was limited. The maximal response was attained in a median of 5 months, with a mean duration of 4 months. Conclusion: The combination of vinblastine and bleomycin achieved a high rate of objective responses in a subgroup of elderly and symptomatic patients, without considerable toxicity. We recommend the combination as first line chemotherapy for advanced CKS.
KW - Bleomycin
KW - Chemotherapy
KW - Kaposi's sarcoma
KW - Vinblastine
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01730.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01730.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 16987264
AN - SCOPUS:33748888637
VL - 20
SP - 1090
EP - 1094
JO - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
JF - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
SN - 0926-9959
IS - 9
ER -