       Document 2990
 DOCN  M94A2990
 TI    Interferon alpha-2a+zidovudine vs. bleomycin+zidovudine for
       HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. The Swiss Group for Clinical Studies on
       AIDS.
 DT    9412
 AU    Opravil M; Hodapp K; Luthy R; Div. of Infectious Diseases, University
       Hospital, Zurich,; Switzerland.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):179 (abstract no. PB0141). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369585
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of two combination
       treatments for HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a prospective
       randomized multicenter study. METHODS: Patient with progressive
       cutaneous KS were randomized to receive zidovudine (2 x 250 mg/d) with
       either interferon alpha-2a (IFN: 9 Mio U/d) or bleomycin (BLEO: 15 mg
       every 2 weeks). KS, clinical and laboratory data were documented
       monthly. Partial remission (PR) was defined as > 50% reduction in size
       (area) or number of lesions lasting > or = 4 weeks, progression (PD) as
       > 25% increase. Stable disease (SD) did not meet the criteria for PR or
       PD. Mortality was assessed until 2/15/94 (intent-to-treat). RESULTS: 26
       men entered the trial and were evaluable for toxicity and mortality; 22
       (12 IFN, 10 BLEO) were evaluable for efficacy (> or = 1 month of
       treatment). Despite stratification, CD4 counts were median
       154/microliters in IFN and 90/microliters in BLEO (p = 0.38). Mean
       duration on assigned treatment was 4.3 months in both arms. A trend
       toward reduction in p24 antigen was observed in IFN vs. BLEO (p = 0.07).
       After a mean follow-up of 15.9 months in IFN and 11.7 in BLEO, a trend
       toward lower mortality in IFN arm (p = 0.11) was explained by imbalance
       in predictive factors at base-line (multivariate Cox regression).
       TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME. CONCLUSION: IFN and BLEO had similar
       efficacy and tolerability for treatment of KS. However, patients
       randomized to IFN might benefit from a concurrent anti-HIV effect.
 DE    Bleomycins/*ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE  Combined Modality Therapy
       Comparative Study  Dose-Response Relationship, Drug  Drug Administration
       Schedule  Follow-Up Studies  Human  HIV Infections/MORTALITY/*THERAPY
       Interferon Alfa-2a/*ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE  Male  Prospective Studies
       Sarcoma, Kaposi's/MORTALITY/*THERAPY  Skin Neoplasms/MORTALITY/*THERAPY
       Survival Rate  Treatment Outcome  Zidovudine/*ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE
       CLINICAL TRIAL  MEETING ABSTRACT  MULTICENTER STUDY  RANDOMIZED
       CONTROLLED TRIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

