A Study of DOX-SL in the Treatment of AIDS-Related Kaposi's Sarcoma

Patients receive DOX-SL every 3 weeks for a maximum of 20 cycles (including any cycles from a previous DOX-SL study). KS lesions are evaluated prior to administration of each treatment, at the end of the final treatment cycle, and at 4 weeks following the end of the final treatment. Patients who respond will be followed every 2 months for up to 1 year. Study treatment may be interrupted for up to 4 months because of complete response, development of opportunistic infections, or adverse drug effects.

Inclusion criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Prophylaxis for PCP, cryptococcal, and herpes infections, and antiretroviral therapy provided these doses have been stable for at least 1 month.
• Maintenance therapy for tuberculosis, fungal, and herpes infections.
• Therapy for new episodes of tuberculosis, fungal, and herpes infections except with potentially myelotoxic chemotherapy.
• Foscarnet or ganciclovir for CMV infection.
• Colony stimulating factors and erythropoietin.

Patients must have:

• Moderate to severe AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.
• Documented anti-HIV antibody.
• No active opportunistic infection with mycobacteria, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, Pneumocystis carinii, or other microorganisms (if under treatment with myelotoxic drugs).

NOTE:

• Eligible KS patients include those who have discontinued therapy in the control arm of a DOX-SL KS study because of side effects or inadequate efficacy OR other KS patients for whom DOX-SL is believed to be indicated. Patients must not be eligible for other Liposome Technology protocols comparing DOX-SL with established therapies.

Exclusion criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Clinically significant cardiac disease.
• Confusion or disorientation.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Other cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy.

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

• Prior neoplasms treated with extensive chemotherapy that, in the investigator's opinion, has led to an irreversibly compromised marrow function.
• History of idiosyncratic or allergic reaction to anthracyclines.
• History of major psychiatric illness.

Prior Medication:

Excluded within the past 4 weeks:

• Cytotoxic chemotherapy (other than in a qualifying Liposome Technology protocol).
• Interferon treatment.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded within the past 3 weeks:

• Radiation or electron beam therapy.