DOXIL is a new treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma, or KS. KS is a type of cancer that men with HIV may develop. It is rarely seen in women. Although KS mainly affects the skin, the mouth, and the lymph nodes, it can also involve the bowels and lungs. If it becomes severe, it may lead to swelling or breakdown of the skin. KS growths, called lesions or tumors, can show up in a wide range of colors, from pink to red-violet to brown to blue.
DOXIL is a liposomal drug. Liposomal drugs are standard chemotherapy drugs used to treat KS that are put inside microscopic bubbles of fat called liposomes. When the drugs are used this way, it is hoped they will have fewer side effects and be more effective. DOXIL is a liposomal version of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin. The drug is given intravenously, which means via a tube placed into your arm or chest. The procedure takes 30 minutes, and is done once every three weeks.
The current standard treatment for advanced KS is a combination of chemotherapy using the drugs Adriamycin, bleomycin and vincristine (ABV). These drugs can have severe side effects including damage to the heart, and also the bone marrow. Your bone marrow makes white blood cells. When you lose white blood cells, you are more likely to get bacterial infections. Additional side effects, such as hair loss and nausea, may impact quality of life during treatment.
DOXIL has been approved for the treatment of advanced KS in people that have not responded to the standard treatment. DOXIL is also recommended for people who can't take the standard treatments for KS because of side effects.
In studies, around 60% of people saw some improvement in their KS when treated with DOXIL. This was called a partial response to treatment. Only 2.3% were defined as having a complete response. However, when KS is inside the body (sometimes called visceral KS) a partial response may enough to significantly improve your health.
Very few people in DOXIL studies had to stop treatment because of side effects. The main side effect is neutropenia, which is low white blood cells. Treatment with G-CSF, also known as Neupogen, can help lessen this side effect. Other side effects can be flushing, tight chest, difficulty breathing or swallowing and back pain. DOXIL can also cause heart problems, although this has not been seen as often as with standard chemotherapy.
Sequus Pharmaceuticals, the makers of DOXIL, have set up a patient assistance program. Patient assistance programs help people having difficulty paying for a treatment. Call (800) 375-1658 for more information.
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