Clinical trial studies breast cancer drug abemaciclib as a therapy for Kaposi sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue, called lesions, to grow under the skin or in other organs. The lesions are red or purple and usually appear on the legs or face, often causing no symptoms. However, lesions in the lungs, liver or digestive tract can be life-threatening. KS, caused by a virus known as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), is common in people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but can occur in people who do not have HIV. Ramya Ramaswami, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., Physician-Scientist Early Investigator in the HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, is leading a study to see if a drug is currently used to treat patients with breast cancer can help people with KS. Abemaciclib works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. Research from the Yarchoan Lab has shown that abemaciclib impacts the growth of KSHV-infected cells and can enhance the expression of immune surface markers on these cells. Other studies have also shown that this family of drugs impacts T-cell immunity to better recognize certain cancers. The goal of this study is to find a safe dose of abemaciclib for people with KS and to see if it can treat and reduce the burden of KS lesions.

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