POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF UKRAIN (NSC-631570) IN AIDS PATIENTS WITH KAPOSIS-SARCOMA

In this study two case reports are presented of therapy with Ukrain, a semi-synthetic thiophosphoric acid compound of alkaloids isolated fro m Chelidonium majus L., for the treatment of AIDS patients with Kaposi 's sarcoma. Ukrain was injected i.v. in the dose of 5 mg every other d ay for a total of 10 injections. During treatment the Kaposi's sarcoma lesions diminished in size, showed decolouration and no lesion appear ed in the 30-day interval after the beginning oi treatment. Both patie nts tolerated Ukrain well and showed an improved immunohaematological status: an increase in total leukocytes, T-lymphocytes and T-supressor numbers. In one case T-helper lymphocytes were also increased. Future investigations are necessary for the evaluation of Ukrain efficacy in the treatment of this type of patients.