Kaposi's sarcoma: aetiopathogenesis, histology and clinical features

✍ Scribed by FM Buonaguro; ML Tornesello; L Buonaguro; RA Satriano; E Ruocco; G Castello; V Ruocco

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 264 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0926-9959
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1468-3083.2003.00670.x

✦ Synopsis

ABSTRACT

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) represents today one of the most common skin cancers in transplanted Mediterranean subjects and, since the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in young unmarried single men. The disease has been associated with the recent identified human herpesvirus (HHV)‐8 or KS herpesvirus and its incidence in the general population shows a north to south gradient that parallels the HHV‐8 increasing prevalence from Nordic countries to sub‐Saharan regions. The identification of the aetiopathogenetic mechanisms (viral agents and immunodeficiency) involved in the pathogenesis of KS, are relevant for identifying susceptible subjects (HHV‐8 seropositive subjects), monitoring the immune levels in iatrogenic immune suppressed patients, and developing new therapeutic approaches based on antiviral and immune modulators.

Learning objective This article should enable the reader: (i) to learn about the clinical and molecular aspects of KS in order to have a multidisciplinary approach to a tumour that shows unique features; (ii) to consider the role of viral agents and immunity; and (iii) to recognize properties of an opportunistic neoplasm. The identification of the HHV‐8 role in KS pathogenesis should establish a relevant tool in the clinical management of KS patients.