Treatment of Kaposi's Sarcoma and Thrombocytopenia with Vincristine in Patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Kaposi's sarcoma occurs in about one third of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Although in some patients the tumor is principally a cosmetic problem, other patients have progressive disease with significant morbidity. Twenty-three patients with Kaposi's sarcoma related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were treated with vincristine. Three patients had a coexisting immune thrombocytopenia. Of the 18 patients evaluable for response, 11 had a partial response and 7 had a minor response. The median duration of partial response was 4 + months. All 3 thrombocytopenic patients developed a significant increase in platelet count, which in 2 was sustained with continued treatment for 6 and 9 months, respectively. We conclude that vincristine has antitumor activity in the epidemic form of Kaposi's sarcoma and that it is also effective in the treatment of associated immune thrombocytopenia.