© 2005-2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). All rights reserved worldwide.
This section has been reviewed and approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 5/2012
Latest Research Doctors are working to learn more about Kaposi sarcoma, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for you.
Targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. Blood vessels make up a large part of Kaposi sarcoma lesions. Anti-angiogenics, a type of targeted therapy, block the formation of new blood vessels that a tumor needs to grow and spread.
New HIV/AIDS treatment. New and better treatments for HIV/AIDS means that fewer people are developing Kaposi sarcoma, because these treatments help strengthen the immune system. Improved HIV/AIDS treatments in the future may further reduce the risk of Kaposi sarcoma.
Combination chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy uses more than one drug given together to treat Kaposi sarcoma. In addition to more than one type of chemotherapy, researchers are also looking at combinations of chemotherapy and antiretroviral drugs, which are normally used to treat patients with HIV/AIDS.
Virus research. Research is ongoing to learn more about HHV-8 and its link to Kaposi sarcoma.
Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current Kaposi sarcoma treatments in order to improve patients' comfort and quality of life.
Learn more about common statistical terms used in cancer research.
To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases now.