Kaposi's Sarcoma: New Topical Treatment Approved

On February 3 Ligand Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA had approved PanretinŽ Gel (alitretinoin) for topical treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma; an advisory committee had recommended approval by an 8-1 vote last November. The company has filed for approval in Canada and Europe.

Patients apply the gel twice a day. According to Ligand, the cost of a four to six month course of therapy is between $3,900 and $5,800. The main side effect is skin irritation where the drug is applied; in seven percent of the patients, skin toxicity was severe enough to cause them to withdraw from the trials.

Panretin capsules (for oral use) have been tested in phase II clinical trials for Kaposi's sarcoma, and tested for several cancers.

The active ingredient, alitretinoin (also known as 9-cis retinoic acid), is a derivative of vitamin A, and also a hormone naturally present in the body.

Results of two trials involving 402 patients were presented at the recent Retroviruses conference.1


References

1. Conant, M. Topical alitretinoin gel as treatment for cutaneous lesions of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: Results of two multicenter, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials. 6th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Chicago, January 31 - February 4, 1999 [abstract #205].