role of intralesional vinblastine administration in treatment of intraoral Kaposi's sarcoma in AIDS

The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the effect of intralesional vinblastine administration on intraoral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in AIDS patients. One hundred and forty-four KS lesions in 50 HIV-positive homosexual males (mean CD4 count 64/mm 3) were treated periodically with intralesional vinblastine injection (0.1 mg/cm 2) until lesion resolution or no further reduction in lesional area. The most common lesion sites were: palate 56% (hard palate 42%, soft palate 14%); gingiva 22% (maxillary 15%, mandibular 7%); and maxillary tuberosity 6%. The mean lesion area was 4.6 cm 2 (range = 0.1–35 cm 2). Complete resolution occurred in 74%. The mean reduction in lesional area was 93% for all lesions. Lesions with only a partial response (26%) to vinblastine had a mean reduction in the lesional area of 69%. The mean number of treatments was 2.4 (range = 1–6). The recurrence rate was 26% with a mean disease-free period of 12.9 weeks. Recurrence rates were highest for nodular (40%) and purple macular lesions with focal nodularity (36%). The most frequent complications were transient pain (72%), superficial mucosal ulceration (22%) and transient paresthesia (12%). Intralesional vinblastine administration produced complete resolution in a substantial number of intraoral KS lesions and represents a well-tolerated treatment regimen for localised control of intraoral KS lesions. Owing to a 25% recurrence rate, re-evaluation is necessary for treatment of recurrent and new Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.