Active clinical trials for "Sarcoma, Kaposi"

The purpose of this study is to find out why cancers develop in HIV-positive patients. Cancer is a leading cause of death in AIDS patients. Common cancers in HIV-infected patients include Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the immune system. Risk factors include certain chemicals, viruses, and perhaps even anti-HIV drugs. Doctors would like to find out which risk factors are most important and how they relate to cancer in AIDS patients.

The purpose of this study is to identify important associations between complete and comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and genomic data derived from patients and tumor specimens, with prospectively recorded clinical outcomes. The investigators also hope to move beyond simple risk factor associations as previously described, to develop a composite score specifically for KS recurrence or progression, analogous to widely used risk scores that are used to direct up-front treatment of other cancers. In so doing, the investigators will draw on extremely granular data to prospectively identify patients who are most likely to benefit from new treatments.

The purpose of this study is to develop imaging techniques to determine the density of blood vessels and the amount of blood flow in Kaposi s sarcoma (KS) tumors. KS tumors depend on the formation of new blood vessels for their growth. Some experimental therapies for KS are directed at reducing the amount of blood vessels and blood flow in these lesions. Measurement of blood vessel density and blood flow in these lesions could be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of both standard and experimental treatments for this disease. Patients 18 years of age or older with Kaposi's sarcoma involving the skin may be eligible for this study. Participants will have photographs taken of their lesions and will undergo three imaging procedures (described below) at the beginning of the study (baseline) and then about once every 3 months or so while on the study (up to 2 years) to compare the test results over time. (Imaging may be done at more or less frequent intervals depending on the findings.) A small amount of blood (less than a tablespoon) will be drawn the day of each imaging procedure. Laser Doppler imaging This technique measures the amount of blood flow in KS lesions by scanning the lesions with a low-power laser beam. Each lesion takes about 3 minutes to scan. The imaging may be done before and after a blood pressure cuff around the arm is inflated for a short time (usually less than 30 seconds). Multi-spectral imaging This technique uses light to measure the total blood volume in each lesion and how much oxygen is in the blood. Oxygen is carried to the body s cells by a protein in red blood cells called hemoglobin. The light on the multi-spectral imaging instrument is absorbed differently depending on whether the hemoglobin has oxygen attached to it or not. It takes about 2 minutes to scan each lesion. Infrared thermal imaging This test uses a special camera to take digital infrared pictures of the skin. Images formed of the temperature of the KS lesions are used to assess blood flow in the lesions. This imaging takes about 1 minute per lesion. ...

This research is being done to determine whether viral thymidine kinase (TK) expression in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) virus-associated tumors is sufficient to image.

We propose to test, by DNA linkage analysis of family pedigree members, the following interrelated hypotheses: 1) that sexual orientation is genetically influenced; 2) that the development of Kaposi's sarcoma and other outcomes of HIV infection in male homosexuals is affected by host susceptibility genes, circulating sex hormone levels, or HLA haplotype; and 3) that alcoholism and other psychobehavioral conditions are associated with homosexuality on a genetic basis and/or influenced by candidate behavioral loci. The subjects for these studies will be self-identified male and female homosexual probands and their relatives from families in which there are at least two individuals with homosexual orientation. All subjects will be adults, and will be referred through NIH physicians, private practitioners, and gay and lesbian organizations. Subjects will undergo a sexual orientation and behaviors interview, a psychiatric interview, and phlebotomy for HIV testing, HLA determination, endocrine measurements, and preparation of DNA from cultured lymphocytes. The DNA samples will be analyzed for a series of genetic markers that span the human genome and for candidate loci chosen for function.

This study will try to identify risk factors for Kaposi s sarcoma, a rare skin cancer, and to understand the role of the KSHV virus in development of the disease. All native-born Italians 21 years of age or older residing in Sicily from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2005 who have Kaposi s sarcoma not related to HIV infection may be eligible for this study. Healthy control subjects will also be enrolled. All participants will be interviewed about their childhood, jobs, habits, medical conditions, and treatments. They also will provide a blood sample and a saliva sample, obtained by swishing a mouthwash for 45 seconds and spitting it into a container. Blood will be tested for two viruses KSHV and HIV that are related to Kapsosi s sarcoma. The KSHV virus is newly discovered and not well understood. In general, a positive KSHV test probably means an infection with the virus has occurred in the past, but not necessarily that disease has developed. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. People with AIDS have a high risk of Kapsosi s sarcoma. Although HIV and AIDS are very rare among older adults in Sicily, the presence of HIV must be ruled out in order to understand how KSHV is related to Kapsosi s sarcoma. The blood may also be used to measure immunity (the body s defense against infection and cancer) and for genetic studies to help discover why Kapsosi s sarcoma occurs.

A series of studies will be conducted in Sicily by a collaborative team from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the University of Palermo to better understand the prevalence and risk factors for the newly discovered human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) and Kaposi s sarcoma (KS), which may be a consequence of HHV8 infection. There are four short-term projects: To determine HHV8 seroprevalence in extant, unlinked sera from informative groups, including homosexual men, persons with sexually transmitted diseases, and in general population groups, particularly the elderly. In addition, HHV8 prevalence and other serological studies may be determined among other adults, particularly those who may be recruited for future studies and those likely to enhance understanding of HHV8 serology. To identify a pediatric syndrome that might be associated with HHV8 infection, HHV8 seroprevalence will be determined in sera from hospitalized children with a wide range of clinical conditions. To determine HHV8 seroprevalence in various regions of Italy and by HLA Class II groups that have been linked to increased (HLA-DR5) or decreased (HLA-DR3) risk of KS, using extant, unlinked sera and data from volunteer bone marrow donors. To conduct a case control study that will identify risk factors for KS among persons who are infected with HHV8 and who manifest anti-HHV8 latent antibodies. The results of these projects will be summarized for publication in the medical and scientific literature and for the design and prioritization of related projects in the future.

This protocol presents the rationale, 25-year historical review, and methods for multidisciplinary, low-risk studies of individuals referred to the NCI Viral Epidemiology Branch (VEB). Referrals are generally for unusual types of cancer or related conditions, known, or suspected to be related to viruses. Kaposi's sarcoma in two homosexual men evaluated in 1981 is a classic example. These referral cases provide the basis for pilot studies that generate hypotheses, the development of protocols for formal investigations of promising leads, and help to set priorities for VEB. A VEB investigator who is a Staff Member at the NIH Clinical Center, interviews each subject, performs a physical examination, draws a blood sample, and, when appropriate for the disease or virus under study, obtains other clinically indicated biological specimens, such as urine, sputum, saliva, tears, semen, Pap smear, or cervical, anal, oral, or nasal swabs. On occasion, other relatively non-invasive studies may be indicated. Skin testing with conventional, licensed antigens for assessment of cellular immunity may be performed, and skin lesions may be biopsied or excised. Tumor or other tissue biopsies may be obtained when biopsy or surgery is clinically indicated for other reasons. Otherwise no surgery is performed, and no therapy is administered. Clinical referral to other components of NCI, NIH, or the private sector are made as needed. The biological specimens are frozen or otherwise preserved to be batch tested in current assays or future assays that will be developed. Such laboratory testing is performed either at VEB's own support laboratory, or collaboratively in other NCI, NIH, or extramural laboratories that have the needed expertise for the disease or virus under study. Occasionally, repeated or more long-term evaluation is required. More often, a single evaluation in the NIH outpatient clinic, or either at a collaborating physician's office or other suitable site in the field, is sufficient. The VEB investigator provides counseling relevant to the virus or disease under study, and about the interim study results. He or she makes appropriate referral if needed (e.g., to the Genetic Epidemiology Branch for genetic counseling). Clinically relevant results and the VEB investigator's interpretation of these results, are provided in writing to the subject's primary caregiver. Confidentially of the information that is obtained is carefully protected. The results of the study are summarized for publication in the peer review literature.

The purpose of this study is to obtain clinical specimens from pathologists and physicians involved in the diagnosis and care of patients with AIDS and non-AIDS associated malignancies. The National Cancer Institute has set up a Bank for tissues and biological fluids from HIVpositive and HIV-negative individuals in order to have specimens available for scientists studying malignancies associated with HIV disease.

Dr. Burbelo and colleagues have developed a technique for rapidly and quantitatively detecting antibody responses in sera to a variety of pathogens using recombinant proteins. We would like to apply this technique to develop an assay for detecting antibodies to HHV-8 (KSHV, the etiologic agents of Kaposi's sarcoma, an AIDS-defining condition). We initially plan to examine samples from patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, since all those patients are almost certainly infected with HHV-8. We are thus using samples from patients with previously diagnosed Kaposi's sarcoma. The samples in question are stored at the NCI FCRF repository operated by SAIC Frederick or in Rockville, MD.