Trial Information

Protocol to Assess Vascularity in Kaposi's Sarcoma Lesions Utilizing Non-Invasive Imaging Techniques

Background:

Kaposi's sarcoma is a highly vascular tumor. As such, it may provide a good model for the
study of angiogenesis-based therapy in cancer. However, there are no standardized techniques
now available to assess the effects of anti-angiogenesis therapy on blood flow in KS
tissues. The present protocol was written to allow us to explore and gain experience with
four promising techniques to examine tumor vasculature in cutaneous KS lesions: a) laser
Doppler imaging; b) multi-spectral imaging; c) infrared thermal imaging; and d) optical
coherence tomography.

Objectives:

The main objective is to assess, in preliminary fashion, non-invasive methods for studying
tumor vascularity and vascular changes in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma using four
different imaging techniques. Other objectives are to correlate these techniques to each
other and to conventional KS tumor assessment, and to assess the response of these
techniques in patients receiving therapy for Kaposi's sarcoma.

Eligibility:

Patients 18 of more years of age with biopsy-proven cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma involving the
skin or mucosa are eligible. They must be willing and able to give informed consent.

Design:

This will be a preliminary study to explore these techniques in Kaposi's sarcoma. Selected
Kaposi's sarcoma lesions of patients will be assessed using laser Doppler imaging,
multi-spectral imaging, infrared thermal imaging, and optical coherence tomography at entry
and then additional time points for up to 4 years. Lesions will also be assessed by
conventional measurement and photographs with conventional cameras. In selected patients in
which there are Kaposi's sarcoma lesions on the arm, the effects of stopping venous flow for
up to 10 seconds will be assessed on the measurements. A complete blood count will be done
the day of the measurements. The results of the imaging techniques will be compared with
each other, and with conventional tumor assessments. Changes over time will be assessed.