Regression of human immunodeficiency virus-associated oral Kaposi sarcoma with combined antiretroviral therapy: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasia in human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+) patients for which the primary mode of management was chemotherapy. METHODS: We have presented the case of a newly diagnosed HIV+ male patient who was diagnosed with a pedunculated nodule in the anterior region of the hard palate, measuring 3.5 cm in diameter and with 2 months of evolution. RESULTS: Histopathological examination confirmed the clinical hypothesis of KS. Soon after the diagnosis, the patient started using combined antiretroviral therapy (Biovir and Kaletra), presenting a significant reduction of the lesion after 4 weeks. With 1.5 cm in diameter, the lesion was surgically removed. The patient was followed-up for 10 years without any recurrence. CONCLUSION: In antiretroviral-naive patients with a well-preserved immune system, the use of cART may be efficient in reducing the progression of the KS lesions, thus avoiding the use of chemotherapeutic agents.

Oral pemphigus vegetans: a case report.

Pemphigus is a rare vesiculobullous autoimmune disease that exhibits blistering of the skin and oral cavity. It is caused by autoantibodies directed against antigens on the surface of keratinocytes. All forms of pemphigus are associated with the presence of circulating and skin-fixed autoantibodies. Pemphigus vegetans is a rare clinical variant of pemphigus vulgaris and comprises up to 5 percent of all pemphigus cases. In the following we present the oral presentation of pemphigus vegetans. We describe a 33-year-old man who was referred to our clinic complaining about mouth sores, tooth pain, and multiple pustules. During clinical exam we were able to recognize multiple pustules, ulcerated areas on the gingiva, and whitish mucosal plaques. Clinical, histopathological, and direct immunofluorescence findings were compatible with pemphigus vegetans.

Clinical presentation and management of mTOR inhibitor-associated stomatitis.

Anti-cancer agents that inhibit the mTOR pathway are associated with a number of unique toxicities, with one of the most significant and potentially dose-limiting being stomatitis. The objective of this study was to report the clinical features and management outcomes of a series of cancer patients who developed painful mTOR inhibitor-associated stomatitis (mIAS). Seventeen cancer patients developed mIAS while being treated with everolimus- or ridaforolimus-containing protocols at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and were referred to the oral medicine clinic for evaluation and management. Clinical characteristics, toxicity management, and outcomes were summarized. In addition, the frequency and rationale for dose reductions and therapy discontinuation were assessed. The median duration of mTOR inhibitor therapy was 80 days (range 9-187 days). The median time to development of mouth ulcers was 10 days (range 4-25 days). Five patients required protocol-directed dose reductions due to grades 2 and 3 stomatitis and one patient discontinued cancer treatment due to mouth ulcers. Clinical improvement and pain relief was reported in 86.6% of patients following topical, intralesional, or systemic corticosteroid therapy, with side effects limited to secondary candidiasis (n=2). Mouth ulcers are a common and potentially dose limiting toxicity associated with the use of mTOR inhibitors in cancer treatment. This case series demonstrates that local and systemic corticosteroid therapy is an effective approach to managing patients with symptomatic mIAS. Prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and prevention strategies with the ultimate goal of improving overall cancer treatment outcomes.