Neopterin and alpha-interferon in patients affected by Kaposi's sarcoma from Africa

The presence of circulating alpha-interferon and neopterin was investigated in sera of 47 patients affected by African Kaposi's sarcoma, both HIV-seropositive ( 13 patients) and HIV-seronegative ( 34 patients). For comparison, analyses were also performed in 20 HIV-seropositive symptomatic African subjects as well as in 20 African and 20 Italian healthy individuals. Alpha-interferon and neopterin levels appeared significantly higher in comparison with healthy control groups ( P < 0.001) but not with HIV-seropositive African individuals without Kaposi's sarcoma. Moreover, alpha-interferon and neopterin levels were significantly higher in progressive Kaposi's sarcoma ( 27 patients) than in regressive Kaposi's sarcoma ( 20 patients) ( P < 0.001). A significant correlation between alpha-interferon and neopterin was observed ( r = 0.57; P < 0.01). Furthermore, alpha-interferon levels of HIV-seropositive Kaposi's sarcoma patients resulted significantly higher in comparison with the seronegative ones ( P < 0.05). It is concluded that alpha-interferon and neopterin may be reliable prognostic markers in Kaposi's sarcoma patients.