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

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.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 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.