IMMUNOTHERAPEUTIC METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF KAPOSI’S SARCOMA

Abstract

Aim: To develop a new treatment method for Kaposi’s sarcoma. Materials and methods: 20 patients with Kaposi’s sarcoma (15 patients with idiopathic and 5 patients with immunosuppressive type) underwent clinical and immunological examination before and after translational cell immunotherapy. Method of translational cell immunotherapy involved administration of photosensitizer Ammifurin 0.6 mg/kg 1.5–2 hours before the procedure of intermittent flow separation of mononuclear cells using Haemonetics MCS+ blood cells separator and corresponding protocol. After separation of cells from 2000 ml blood, mean cell count was 6.2±0.8×10⁹ cells per 100 ml plasma. 100 ml of normal saline was added to provide hematocrit value 2% or less. Cell suspension was exposed to UVA-radiation (λ=320–400 nm) using blood irradiator Julia (10–15 ml/min) during 90 minutes. Then, 200 ml of nutrient buffer solution Intersol (Baxter) for long-term storage of platelets was added to cell suspension; reaction mixture was incubated at 37 °С during 18–20 hours under constant stirring in thrombomixer, then re-infused during 30 minutes. Results: Analysis of immunological phenotype of patients with Kaposi’s sarcoma demonstrated alterations predominantly in cell immunity. After the cycle of translational cell therapy, dramatic clinical improvement was observed in all patients. After 1–5 years of follow-up, remission duration was 5 months – 4 years (mean value – 14.8 months). Conclusion: Translational cell immunotherapy produced good clinical effects and slowed down disease progression. Thus, it can be recommended for adjuvant or alternative treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma.