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Sarcoma, Kaposi

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Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Kaposi Sarcoma

Sam M Mbulaiteye, M.D.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Studies of Human Herpesvirus 8 and Kaposi's Sarcoma in Sicily

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Cases with Kaposi's Sarcoma from Southern Italy.

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.

Persons infected with the Kaposi s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are at risk for developing Kaposi s sarcoma (KS), but the risk factors for KSHV infection and for KS following infection are not well defined. Classical KS (cKS) occurs without apparent immune deficiency (such as AIDS or an allograft). The proposed study will test specific hypotheses and generate new hypotheses on the risk of cKS among persons who have antibodies against KSHV, on the risk of KSHV seropositivity, and on the risk of active KSHV infection, defined as KSHV viremia or viral shedding in saliva. To do so, 120 incident cases of cKS from throughout Sicily and approximately 1800 persons (15% KSHV seropositive) of similar age, sex, and community size will be asked to participate by providing questionnaire data and blood and saliva specimens. Residual formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue from KS skin biopsies will be available for verification of diagnosis and molecular analyses. Primary hypotheses are focused on host genetic susceptibility, endogenous clinical conditions (such as asthma and allergy), and exogenous exposures (cigarette smoking and contact with certain plants, water and soil) that are postulated to affect KSHV activation, dissemination, and disease induction. The study will have sufficient statistical power to detect factors that increase the risk of KSHV seropositivity by 1.5- to 2-fold, the risk of cKS by 2- to 3-fold, and the risk of KSHV viremia or shedding by 3- to 4-fold.

Risk Factors for Non-HIV-Related Kaposi s Sarcoma

Cofactors for Classical Kaposi's Sarcoma and for Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection: A Case-Control Study in Sicily

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization	Link
Studies of Human Herpesvirus 8 and Kaposi's Sarcoma in Sicily	NCT00339937	Kaposi s Sarcom...		18 Years - 99 Years	National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Risk Factors for Non-HIV-Related Kaposi s Sarcoma	NCT00339326	Kaposi's Sarcom...		18 Years - 99 Years	National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for human herpes virus 8 (hhv8)