Tin ethyl etiopurpurin-induced photodynamic therapy for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated Kaposi's sarcoma

Current local treatments for cutaneous human immunodeficiency virus-associated Kaposi's sarcoma lesions can be less than ideal. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consisting of a photoreactive drug and a laser light source has been used to treat a variety of neoplasms. This paper presents the case report of a 36-year-old man with multiple Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, Using the photosensitizer tin ethyl etiopurpurin and red light activation 24 hours postinfusion, me achieved excellent subjective and objective response on follow-up examinations to 20 weeks posttreatment. Photodynamic therapy is an outpatient procedure that is well tolerated and highly effective for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions. It offers the distinct benefit of effective destruction of multiple lesions in a single session without severe morbidity. PDT should be considered as the first-line treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma, but it also should undergo large clinical trials to fully assess its capabilities.