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HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: new developments in epidemiology and molecular pathology

  • Guest Editorial
  • Published:
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Summary

New epidemiological data give evidence for an unknown etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Experimental support is provided by research on cultivated KS cells. These results contradict a direct involvement of HIV-1 in the pathogenesis of KS. Research on cultivated KS cells confirmed the hypothesis that KS spindle cells originate from endothelial cells and gave new insight into the pathogenesis of tumor cell growth. KS spindle cells secrete an autocrine acting growth promoting activity. Nevertheless, they seem to depend on several growth factors like PDGF and IL-6 provided by surrounding endothelial cells and macrophages, respectively. The results support the hypothesis of a tumor relying on paracrine acting factors more than on autocrine acting factors.

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Abbreviations

KS:

Kaposi's sarcoma

AIDS:

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus

PDGF:

platelet-derived growth factor

CMV:

cytomegalovirus

FGF:

fibroblast growth factor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, W-8033, Martinsried, Federal Republic of Germany

    W. K. Roth

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  1. W. K. Roth
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The “Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology” publishes in loose succession “Editorials” and “Guest editorials” on current and/or controversial problems in experimental and clinical oncology. These contributions represent exclusively the personal opinion of the author The Editors.

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Roth, W.K. HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: new developments in epidemiology and molecular pathology. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 117, 186–191 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01625423

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01625423

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