AIDS-RELATED KAPOSIS-SARCOMA - A TEMPLATE FOR THE TRANSLATION OF MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS AND TARGETED THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) represents a complex interaction of host and viral factors. There are a number of fundamental questions s urrounding the interplay between the disparate factors that can contri bute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this disease. Targets such as the enhancement of immune function, inhibition of angiogenic f actors or immunostimulatory cytokines, inhibition of viral proteins su ch as Tat, or hormonal manipulations are now or will in the future bec ome the focus of research to develop innovative anti-KS therapy and pr evention measures. Antiviral approaches aimed at HIV or other viruses may potentially target a number of steps in KS pathogenesis. This arti cle reviews diverse modalities-cytotoxic, antiviral, gene-directed, gr owth factor-targeted, and antiangiogenesis-that singly, or more likely in combination, stand to make an impact on the cure and prevention of AIDS-related KS.