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Featured Clinical Trials

Cancer Studies Highlighted in the NCI Cancer Bulletin
  • Posted: 08/03/2004
  • Updated: 09/23/2010

Biological Therapy to Treat Kaposi Sarcoma

Name of the Trial

Phase II Study of Bevacizumab in Patients With Classic or Epidemic Kaposi Sarcoma (NCI-03-C-0110G). See the protocol summary. 1

Principal Investigator

Dr. Robert Yarchoan, NCI Center for Cancer Research

Dr. Robert Yarchoan
Dr. Robert Yarchoan
Principal Investigator

Why This Trial Is Important

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a tumor that generally develops in multiple sites on the skin. It can also arise in the mouth or internal organs, including the intestinal tract and lungs. Classic KS usually occurs in older men of Jewish, Italian, or Mediterranean heritage.

Until recently, KS was a rare cancer. Beginning in the early 1980s, however, there was a marked increase in KS as part of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. We now know that KS is caused by a herpesvirus called Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpes virus-8.

Bevacizumab (Avastin®), a type of biological agent called a monoclonal antibody, blocks the formation and growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) by targeting a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Angiogenesis is necessary for all tumors to grow, but KS may be particularly vulnerable to agents that inhibit angiogenesis because blood vessel cells are the main component of KS lesions.

“Some cytotoxic drugs can control Kaposi sarcoma,” said Dr. Yarchoan, “but these are not curative, in part because they can’t eradicate the virus that causes it. We thus need to develop effective therapies that can be tolerated for long periods of time. Bevacizumab is reasonably well-tolerated and targets the central feature of KS, the formation of new blood vessels.”

For More Information

This study is no longer accepting patients. To find other clinical trials for Kaposi sarcoma, search the NCI's listing of clinical trials 2 or call the NCI Clinical Trial Referral Office at 1-888-NCI-1937. The call is toll free and confidential.

Related Pages



Glossary Terms

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (uh-KWY-erd IH-myoo-noh-dih-FIH-shun-see SIN-drome)
A disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are at an increased risk for developing certain cancers and for infections that usually occur only in individuals with a weak immune system. Also called AIDS.
bevacizumab (beh-vuh-SIH-zoo-mab)
A drug used to treat glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and certain types of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bevacizumab binds to a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called Avastin.
cytotoxic (SY-toh-TOK-sik)
Cell-killing.
herpesvirus (HER-peez-VY-rus)
A member of the herpes family of viruses.
monoclonal antibody (MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee)
A type of protein made in the laboratory that can bind to substances in the body, including tumor cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody is made to find one substance. Monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat some types of cancer and are being studied in the treatment of other types. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive materials directly to a tumor.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/NCT00055237
2http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search
3http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/AIDS