Efficacy of immunotherapy with combination of cryotherapy and topical imiquimod for treatment of Kaposi sarcoma Research Letter
| Authors: | Gu, L.; Lin, E.; Liu, S.; Yang, N.; Kurtansky, N.; Neumann, N. M.; Stoll, J.; Lezcano, C.; Pulitzer, M.; Noor, S.; Markova, A.; Rossi, A.; Dickson, M. A.; Deng, L. |
| Title: | Efficacy of immunotherapy with combination of cryotherapy and topical imiquimod for treatment of Kaposi sarcoma |
| Abstract: | Multiple treatment modalities for Kaposi sarcoma (KS) have been reported, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical excision, electrochemotherapy, and cryotherapy. Common topical treatments include timolol, imiquimod, and alitretinoin. We searched our institutional database for patients with ICD-9 or 10 codes for KS seen by a dermatologist with experience in KS management from July 1, 2004 to January 1, 2022. We screened patient charts to include patients who received combination therapy of cryotherapy followed by topical imiquimod three times a week for 2 months (n = 9). Patients were followed in the clinic every 3 months. Time to resolution was assessed by photographic evidence of resolution as determined by a dermatologist and corroborated with clinical documentation in patient charts. Median age (IQR) at KS diagnosis was 58 (27.5) years. All patients were male (n = 9, 100%). Majority were white (n = 7, 78%) and non-Hispanic (n = 8, 89%). Five (56%) had classic KS, one (11%) had HIV-associated KS, and three (33%) were HIV-negative men who have sex with men. Median time to resolution was 30.5 weeks, with a median of two treatments. In our study, 93% (n = 42/45) of lesions and 89% (n = 8/9) of patients experienced complete resolution during a median (range) duration of follow-up of 58 (13–209) weeks. Side effects were limited to pain during cryotherapy, occasional blister formation after cryotherapy, and mild inflammation due to imiquimod. No infections were observed. Combination therapy of cryotherapy and topical imiquimod may be an efficacious and comparatively low-risk treatment for limited, cutaneous KS. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. |
| Keywords: | immunohistochemistry; adult; clinical article; controlled study; human tissue; treatment response; middle aged; drug efficacy; treatment duration; flow cytometry; human immunodeficiency virus infection; outcome assessment; follow up; letter; cancer immunotherapy; pain; imiquimod; skin neoplasms; inflammation; cohort analysis; retrospective study; skin tumor; immunotherapy; homosexuality, male; therapy effect; age distribution; kaposi sarcoma; sarcoma, kaposi; medical documentation; medical photography; hiv infections; caucasian; cryotherapy; dermatologist; blister; men who have sex with men; medical parameters; humans; human; male; female; sexual and gender minorities; sexual and gender minority; time to resolution; male homosexuality |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Medical Virology |
| Volume: | 95 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| ISSN: | 0146-6615 |
| Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2023-01-01 |
| Start Page: | e28396 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jmv.28396 |
| PUBMED: | 36504005 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Letter -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Liang Deng -- Export Date: 1 February 2023 -- Source: Scopus |
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