Antibodies to butyrate-inducible antigens of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesviruses in patients with HIV-1 infection

Article Abstract:

There is evidence that Kaposi's sarcoma may be caused by a new type of herpesvirus. Researchers stimulated a B-cell lymphoma cell line infected with Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes-like virus (KSHV) with butyrate to induce the production of viral antigens. The cells were then exposed to blood samples from 102 HIV-infected people to detect the presence of antibodies to the viral antigens. Forty-eight patients had Kaposi's sarcoma and 54 did not. Blood samples from the patients with Kaposi's sarcoma reacted to several antigens in the B-cell line that were not present in another cell line infected with only Epstein-Barr virus. This indicates that the antigens were unique to KSHV. Sixty-seven percent of the patients with Kaposi's sarcoma had antibodies to KSHV antigens, compared to 13% who did not have Kaposi's sarcoma. Two of the seven patients who had KSHV antibodies but not Kaposi's sarcoma eventually developed Kaposi's sarcoma. An assay to detect KSHV antibodies would be 82% accurate in detecting those infected with KSHV.

Physiological aspects, Herpesviruses

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Kaposi's sarcoma

Article Abstract:

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has commonly been linked to AIDS, but it also occurs in HIV-negative people. The skin lesions are the most visible, but KS can also occur internally. In 1994, researchers discovered a previously unknown virus in KS tissue samples from an AIDS patient. The virus was called Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) and has now been found in over 95% of KS tissue samples, regardless of their source. Treatments are discussed as are ways to prevent KS in the various populations that it affects.

Analysis

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Designing and funding clinical trials of novel therapies

Article Abstract:

Several methods of funding clinical trials are proposed so that more patients can be enrolled. This is important because large trials are needed to detect differences in treatments, especially if the difference is small.

Editorial, Finance, Clinical trials, Medical research

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