Management of Kaposi sarcoma after solid organ transplantation: A European retrospective study

Delyon, J.; Rabate, C.; Euvrard, S.; Harwood, C.A.; Proby, C.; Gulec, T.; ... ; Skin Care Organ Transplant Patient (2019)

Article / Letter to editor

Background: Systemic therapeutic management of post-transplant Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is mainly based on 3 axes: reduction of immunosuppression, conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.Objective: To obtain an overview of clinical strategies about the current treatment of KS.Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study including 145 solid organ transplant recipients diagnosed with KS between 1985 and 2011 to collect data regarding first-line treatment and response at 6 months.Results: Overall, 95%, 28%, and 16% of patients had reduction of immunosuppression, conversion to mTOR inhibitor, and chemotherapy, respectively. Patients treated with chemotherapy or mTOR inhibitor conversion were more likely to have visceral KS. At 6 months, 83% of patients had response, including 40% complete responses.Limitations: The retrospective design of the study.Conclusion: Currently available therapeutic options seem to be effective to control KS in most patients. Tapering down the immunosuppressive regimen remains the cornerstone of KS management.

• chemotherapy
• immunosuppression
• Kaposi sarcoma
• mTOR inhibitor
• organ transplantation
• post-transplant malignancies

• All authors: Delyon, J.; Rabate, C.; Euvrard, S.; Harwood, C.A.; Proby, C.; Gulec, T.; Seckin, D.; Marmol, V. del; Bouwes Bavinck, J.N.; Ferrandiz-Pulido, C.; Ocampo, M.A.; Barete, S.; Legendre, C.; Frances, C.; Porcher, R.; Lebbe, C.; Skin Care Organ Transplant Patient
• Date: 2019-08-01
• Journal: Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
• Volume: 81
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 448 - 455
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.03.028