Update on Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV8) – review

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8, also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is one of the few pathogens recognized as direct carcinogen, being involved in the pathogenesis of Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman disease. KSHV is a relatively recently discovered virus, with still limited possibilities for diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, ongoing studies are trying to answer the main issues related to the management of KSHV infection and its associated diseases. This review updates the current knowledge of the KSHV infection, discussing aspects related to epidemiology, virological features, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.

Shiftless Restricts Viral Gene Expression and Influences RNA Granule Formation during KSHV lytic replication

“…Castleman's disease (MCD) (1,2). Like all herpesviruses, KSHV infection is defined by two distinct phases: a life-long viral latency, where most of viral gene expression is suppressed, broken only by active lytic viral replication (3).…”

“…Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or Human-Herpesvirus-8 (KSHV/HHV-8) is an oncogenic gamma-2-herpesvirus and the causative agent of multiple malignancies including its namesake Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS), and two lymphoproliferative disorders: primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and Multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD) ( 1,2 ). Like all herpesviruses, KSHV infection is defined by two distinct phases: a life-long viral latency, where most of viral gene expression is suppressed, broken only by active lytic viral replication ( 3 ).…”

Topical treatments for Kaposi sarcoma: A systematic review

“…2 Therapeutic options for management of KS range from clinical observation for indolent solitary lesions, initiation or optimization of antiretroviral therapy for AIDS‐related KS, to systemic chemotherapeutic agents for disseminated disease. 3 For patients with cutaneous KS, recent clinical guidelines have recommended radiotherapy, surgical excision, cryosurgery, laser therapy, and intralesional agents as treatment modalities. 2 , 4 Although these treatments are effective in most cases, they may not be feasible for all patients; their use is dependent on patient comorbidities, as well as the anatomical locations and extent of KS lesions.…”

“…The treatment of KS depends on the clinical category, the extent of lesion involvement and the pre‐existing medical conditions of the patient 2 . Therapeutic options for management of KS range from clinical observation for indolent solitary lesions, initiation or optimization of antiretroviral therapy for AIDS‐related KS, to systemic chemotherapeutic agents for disseminated disease 3 . For patients with cutaneous KS, recent clinical guidelines have recommended radiotherapy, surgical excision, cryosurgery, laser therapy, and intralesional agents as treatment modalities 2,4 .…”

Immunoinformatics guided design of a universal epitope-based vaccine against Kaposi Sarcoma

“…The virus Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is certainly the causative agent of Kaposi sarcoma malignancy, it is formerly known as Human Herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). HHV-8 is also recognized as a human carcinogen, according to Global cancer statistics 2018, it is responsible for about 40,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths worldwide each year [3], and especially the AIDS patients have a 1,00,000-fold increased risk of contracting KS than the general population [4]. As the risk of KS malignancy cases linked with HIV and lymphoproliferative disorders are not only signi cantly common, but these malignancies can also occur in the absence of these coinfections in any immune-compromised, malnourished, or solid organ transplant recipient infected with HHV-8 [5].…”