Abstract
Classic Kaposi’s sarcoma (CKS) is an angioproliferative cutaneous neoplasm which currently lacks a well-defined treatment regimen. Because the disease is often localized, topical therapies offer therapeutic potential without the morbidity of systemic or surgical treatment. Timolol, a topical β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, has shown promise in the treatment of CKS in individual cases. Here we report a patient with classic Kaposi’s sarcoma who failed treatment with 0.5% topical timolol three times daily for 12 weeks. Topical timolol use has been previously reported in eight patients with CKS who all responded to treatment with no adverse effects. Our divergent experience from the literature implies that while topical timolol may be an effective and safe treatment alternative to traditional therapies for patients with CKS, further prospective studies are needed.
Highlights
Topical timolol use has been previously reported in eight patients with Classic Kaposi’s sarcoma (CKS) who all responded to treatment with no adverse effects
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative neoplasm of endothelial origin associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
We summarize and elucidate the current literature reporting the use of topical timolol in the treatment of CKS
Summary
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative neoplasm of endothelial origin associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Traditional management of CKS is usually individualized and targeted towards alleviating lymphedema, decreasing the size of lesions, and delaying or preventing disease progression with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. These treatments may cause significant adverse effects [2]. With the diagnosis of CKS, the patient first received radiation therapy but without change in size or appearance of the lesions. She was prescribed treatment with timolol ophthalmic gel-forming solution 0.5% twice per day, but she reported application of the solution to lesions three times per day. (a) Idiopathic, asymptomatic, well-delineated lesions. (b) No significant improvement at 12 weeks with 0.5% topical timolol solution applied three times per day
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