Kaposi's Sarcoma: topical treatments

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (SK) is an angioproliferative tumor associated with the herpes virus 8. Depending on the clinical form it develops and the patient's immune status, it can manifest as a single skin lesion or be a disseminated disease.

The treatment will depend on the clinical form, the extent of the lesions and the pre-existing medical conditions. This will range from clinical observation, topical and intralesional treatments, surgery, cryotherapy, initial radiotherapy or optimization of antiretroviral therapy to systemic chemotherapy.

Topical treatment is an option for some patients with cutaneous KS, as it achieves higher local concentrations with fewer local and systemic adverse effects.

The three most widely used drugs are timolol, imiquimod, and alitretinoin, with good relative efficacy and a favorable safety profile.