Treatment of gammaherpesvirus-related neoplastic disorders in the immunosuppressed host

Semin Hematol. 2003 Apr;40(2):163-71. doi: 10.1053/shem.2003.50016.

Abstract

Neoplastic disease is a frequent complication in patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) and other immunodeficiencies. Many such neoplasms are caused by either Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV). The treatment of such patients can be challenging. At the same time, the viral origin of these tumors offers targets to develop pathogenesis-based therapies. Standard therapies for these diseases involve such approaches as treating the underlying immunodeficiency, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and immunologic antitumor therapy. Novel therapy approaches include specific immune therapy and anti-angiogenesis approaches, now under development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gammaherpesvirinae
  • Herpesviridae Infections / chemically induced
  • Herpesviridae Infections / complications*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / therapy
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / virology*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / chemically induced
  • Tumor Virus Infections / complications
  • Tumor Virus Infections / virology