Rapidly progressive Kaposi’s sarcoma associated with human immunodeficiency syndrome

A Race Against Time: Rapidly Progressing Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma

“…KS is an opportunistic malignancy, occurring in patients with a CD4 count less than 200 mm 3 [ 3 ]. The incidence of the disease has declined substantially since it was first identified in the 1980s due to the advancement and availability of ART and its prevention of HIV progression to AIDS [ 1 , 6 , 8 ].…”

“…There are two main treatment pillars for managing KS, namely, ongoing ART and concurrent chemotherapy agents such as liposomal doxorubicin and paclitaxel [ 3 ]. Some studies reported 85% survival in patients with non-pulmonary KS using this treatment regimen [ 4 ].…”

“…The pathogenesis of KS is still not well understood. One pathway which is being studied is vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition and the use of checkpoint inhibitors [ 1 , 3 ]. Prognosis is generally guarded.…”

“…Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a malignancy caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), which was first identified in its association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the 1980s [1]. The virus, also known as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), is a double-stranded DNA gammaherpesvirus that typically targets vascular and endothelial cells, though the pathogenesis is poorly understood [1][2][3][4]. KS is recognized as an opportunistic malignancy most commonly observed in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 [5,6].…”

“…KS is recognized as an opportunistic malignancy most commonly observed in patients with CD4 counts less than 200 [5,6]. The most well-known manifestation of the malignancy is the pigmented subcutaneous skin nodules [1][2][3]. While 80-90% of KS cases involve mucocutaneous lesions, KS has also been observed in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, bone, and lymph nodes [5][6][7].…”