Randomized, Comparative Trial of DOX-SL (Stealth Liposomal Doxorubicin Hydrochloride) Versus Adriamycin, Bleomycin, and Vincristine (ABV) in the Treatment of Severe AIDS-Related Kaposi's Sarcoma

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

- Prophylaxis for PCP, cryptococcal, and herpes infections, and antiretroviral therapy
(e.g., AZT, ddC, ddI) provided these doses have been stable for at least 1 month.

- Therapy for tuberculosis, fungal, and herpes infections except with potentially
myelotoxic chemotherapy.

- Foscarnet for new episodes of cytomegalovirus infection.

- Colony-stimulating factors and erythropoietin.

Patients must have:

- Biopsy-proven, progressive, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, with any of the following:

- At least 25 mucocutaneous lesions.

- Ten or more new lesions in the prior month.

- Documented visceral disease with at least two accessible cutaneous lesions.

- Two accessible cutaneous lesions with edema.

- Documented anti-HIV antibody.

- No active opportunistic infection with mycobacteria, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma,
Pneumocystis carinii, or other microorganisms (if under treatment with myelotoxic
drugs).

- Life expectancy > 4 months.

NOTE:

- Patients who respond to therapy on this protocol, as well as those who fail the ABV
combination, are eligible to enter the Liposome Technology open trial using DOX-SL
alone.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

- Clinically significant cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease.

- Peripheral neuropathy, signs of moderate to severe sensory loss, or moderate to
marked motor loss.

- Inability to comply with the study.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

- Other cytotoxic chemotherapy.

- Ganciclovir.

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

- Prior neoplasms treated with extensive chemotherapy that, in the investigator's
opinion, has led to irreversibly compromised bone marrow function.

- History of idiosyncratic or allergic reaction to bleomycin or vincristine.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

- Prior anthracycline therapy.

- Cytotoxic chemotherapy or interferon treatment within the past 4 weeks.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

- Radiation or electron beam therapy within the past 3 weeks.