Since the widespread introduction of HAART, the duration of responses to treatment for KS has increased [66] and no further randomized trials have compared liposomal anthracyclines with nonencapsulated, anthracycline-based regimens. The safety and tolerability of these drugs in combination with HAART has been evaluated. In one study of 54 patients, 82% had a see more response within 8 weeks and the PLD-HAART combination was well tolerated with no evidence of suppression of CD4 cell counts [95]. In a cohort study of 50 patients treated with concomitant HAART and liposomal anthracycline chemotherapy for

KS, there was no decline in CD4 cell count or rise in HIV viral load [96]. These findings suggest that standard opportunistic infection prophylaxis guidelines may be followed when treating patients with liposomal anthracycline chemotherapy for KS. Based on the response rates, median response durations and the toxicity profile, liposomal anthracyclines are considered first-line chemotherapy for advanced KS (level of evidence 1A). Like vinca alkaloids, taxanes bind to the β subunit of α/β tubulin

and disrupt microtubules leading to mitotic arrest and subsequent cell death. Paclitaxel also promotes Romidepsin price apoptosis by binding to Bcl-2 via the same mechanism [97]. In a number of phase II trials, paclitaxel was shown to have single-agent activity against AIDS-KS; furthermore, these studies included a number of patients who had previously received anthracyclines [98–102]. One

Phase II study of paclitaxel (135 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) for KS, enrolled 28 patients and reported a response rate of 71%. This included four (14%) patients who had received anthracyclines but Methisazone no patients received HAART [99]. A second, larger study of 56 patients included 20 (36%) who received a protease inhibitor at some stage during the study and 40 (70%) who had received prior therapy for KS that included liposomal anthracyclines in 17 (30%). The overall objective response rate was 59% and the median response duration was 10.4 months [100]. A first-line study for advanced, symptomatic KS randomized 73 patients between paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 every 2 weeks and PLD 20 mg/m2 every 3 weeks; 73% patients received HAART (see Table 3.3) [103]. Treatment was associated with significant improvements in pain and swelling, for both arms. There was no significant difference between the arms in response rates, progression-free or overall survival at 2 years, and slightly higher rates of grade 3–4 toxicity for paclitaxel (84% vs. 66%, p = 0.07). Progression-free survival for both arms in this study was higher than those reported in the pre-HAART era. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed higher paclitaxel levels in patients taking protease inhibitors, though this did not have any obvious clinical impact [104]. Two studies have addressed the role of paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy.