The safety of intravenous chemotherapy and zidovudine when treating epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma

AIDS. 1989 Jul;3(7):457-60. doi: 10.1097/00002030-198907000-00010.

Abstract

Patients with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma, who are often taking zidovudine, may be treated with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Both cytotoxic chemotherapy and zidovudine are myelotoxic and we have treated 16 patients with this combination. We report an acceptable rate of anaemia, leucopaenia, thrombocytopaenia and non-haematological side effects. This combination can be safely administered to this group of patients, although much of our experience is with the relatively non-myelotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, bleomycin and vincristine.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Zidovudine / administration & dosage*
  • Zidovudine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Bleomycin
  • Zidovudine
  • Vincristine