| Abstract: |
Interferon alfa (IFN-α) was one of the first drugs shown to have activity against AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Multiple clinical studies have defined IFN-α's role as a single agent or in combination with antiretroviral drugs against KS and have indicated that preserved immune function and the absence of activation of the endogenous IFN system are markers for improved outcome. Infection with both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been associated with perturbations in the IFN system, but it is not known precisely how this influences the development of KS, its clinical course, or response to exogenous IFN therapy. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed for IFN-α's antitumor activity against KS including inhibition of cell proliferation, targeted inhibition of pathways leading to aberrant angiogenesis, and inhibition of both HIV and KSHV, but its precise mechanism of action is not known, nor is it known why some tumors fail to respond. The future development of IFN therapy for KS should include combinations of IFN with other agents and/or the use of IFN preparations that require less frequent administration. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. |
