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Sarcomas

A Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin for the Treatment of AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma

^a Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA; ^b Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; ^c ALZA Corporation, Mountain View, California, USA; ^d Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C., Raritan, New Jersey, USA

Key Words. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin • AIDS • Kaposi’s sarcoma • Liposomal daunorubicin

Correspondence: Timothy Cooley, M.D., Department of Medical Oncology, Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01805, USA. Telephone: 781-744-8410; Fax: 781-744-5293; e-mail: timothy.p.cooley{at}lahey.org

Background. Despite a decreased incidence of AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) due to the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, approximately 15% of AIDS patients still develop AIDS-related KS. This study evaluated the clinical benefit, tumor response, and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for the treatment of AIDS-related KS.

Methods. This was a double-blind, multicenter study that randomized patients with AIDS-related KS to six cycles of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (20 mg/m²; n = 60) or liposomal daunorubicin (40 mg/m²; n = 19) every 2 weeks. Clinical benefit was assessed using patient questionnaires and monitoring of KS-associated symptoms. Tumor responses were assessed using imaging techniques, direct measurement of skin lesions, and photographs, when possible.

Results. Clinical benefit was observed in 48/60 patients (80%) receiving pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and was maintained for a median of 62 days (range, 28–107 days). Clinical benefit was achieved by 12/19 patients (63.2%) receiving liposomal daunorubicin and was maintained for a median of 55 days (range, 28–84 +days). Clinical benefit correlated with tumor response. Tumor responses were achieved by 55.0% of patients receiving pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and 31.6% of patients receiving liposomal daunorubicin. Response rates were similar within each treatment group when only those patients without changes in antiretroviral therapy during treatment were considered. Adverse events associated with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin were neutropenia (30%), nausea (28.3%), and asthenia (16.7%).

Conclusions. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is safe and effective for the treatment of AIDS-related KS, with most patients experiencing clinical benefit, tumor response, or both.