Doctors are working to learn more about HIV/AIDS-related cancer, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with these diseases. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials [2]. Always talk with your doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for you.

Combination therapies. Clinical trials are underway to study the effects of chemotherapy plus colony-stimulating factors (substances that help the body make white blood cells) and antiretroviral therapy. The effect of high-dose therapy with stem cell transplantation [3] is also being tested in clinical trials.

New therapies. Based on advances in understanding the biology of HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, anti-angiogenesis drugs (drugs that block the formation of new blood vessels that are needed for a tumor to grow and spread), vitamin D and similar products, and a targeted therapy called imatinib (Gleevec) are being tested in clinical trials.

Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current cancer treatments in order to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life.

Learn more about common statistical terms used in cancer research [4].

Looking for More about Current Research?

If you would like additional information about the latest areas of research regarding Kaposi sarcoma, NHL, and cervical cancer, explore these related items:

• To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trials databases now [5].
• Review research announced at recent scientific meetings [6] or in ASCO’s peer-reviewed journals [7].
• Visit ASCO’s CancerProgress.Net [8] website to learn more about the historical pace of research for cervical cancer and NHL.

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