KS Rx

Q: 42 year old male with HIV is admitted to ICU with pneumonia. ID service in the list of their regimen also prescribed an anti-hypertensive. On your inquiry, they informed you that it may help to regress his Kaposi Sarcoma (KS). Which anti-hypertensive group of drugs found to be helpful in the treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma (KS)?

A) B-Blockers
B) Diuretics
C) Calcium Channel Blockers
D) Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme-Inhibitors (ACE-I)
E) Alpha-blockers (Hydralazine)


Answer: A

Nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonist, Timolol has shown to enhance regression of KS lesions. This treatment is derived from the efficacy of another B-Blocker, Propranolol in the treatment of infantile hemangioma, a condition similar to KS. 

 Added pearl: Another unusual treatment of KS is the application of nicotine patch, as smoking is found to be associated with a reduced risk of KS.


#infectious-diseases


References:

1. McAllister SC, Hanson RS, Manion RD. Propranolol Decreases Proliferation of Endothelial Cells Transformed by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus and Induces Lytic Viral Gene Expression. J Virol 2015; 89:11144. 

2. Goedert JJ, Scoppio BM, Pfeiffer R, et al. Treatment of classic Kaposi sarcoma with a nicotine dermal patch: a phase II clinical trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008; 22:1101.