mitoguazone and Acquired-Immunodeficiency-Syndrome

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Lymphoma; Mitoguazone; Remission Induction; Treatment Outcome

Discussions from a recent cancer conference held in May of 1995 are summarized in the following areas: 1) the effect of mitoguazone in relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; 2) the addition of ddI or ddC to chemo for advanced Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); 3) progress in use of three new anti-KS agents; 4) the effectiveness of phototherapy as palliation for KS; and 5) reasons why HIV prevalence is probably underestimated in women. Additionally, the paper reviews the Lymphoma Project Report which analyzed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, molecular characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment of AIDS lymphoma. The following were among the findings: a regimen of doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vincristine with either ddI or ddC was well tolerated and evoked antitumor responses in patients with KS; 9-cis-retinoic acid and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin can induce remission of KS lesions; photodynamic therapy is an effective palliative therapy for some people with KS, but doses above 300 joules/cm2 result in scarring; and most American women who die of cervical cancer probably also have HIV infection according to a clinician from State University of New York in Brooklyn. The article concludes with a discussion of the differences between the focus of HIV research and HIV meetings for the ASCO assembly and the AIDS community.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antiviral Agents; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Female; Humans; Isotretinoin; Lymphoma, AIDS-Related; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Mitoguazone; Paclitaxel; Palliative Care; Photochemotherapy; Recurrence; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Two studies of mitoguazone (MGBG) have led researchers to believe the drug would be effective in the treatment of newly-diagnosed AIDS lymphoma, especially lymphoma of the central nervous system. ILEX, MGBS's developer, can help people who qualify for new trials but are unable to get to one of the twenty-nine trial centers with expenses. Those who do not qualify for the trials may be eligible to receive the drug on a compassionate-use basis.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antineoplastic Agents; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Mitoguazone; Treatment Failure