The purpose of this study is to develop imaging techniques to determine the density of blood vessels and the amount of blood flow in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumors. KS tumors depend on the formation of new blood vessels for their growth. Some experimental therapies for KS are directed at reducing the amount of blood vessels and blood flow in these lesions. Measurement of blood vessel density and blood flow in these lesions could be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of both standard and experimental treatments for this disease.

Patients 18 years of age or older with Kaposi's sarcoma involving the skin may be eligible for this study. Participants will have photographs taken of their lesions and will undergo three imaging procedures (described below) at the beginning of the study (baseline) and then about once every 3 months or so while on the study (up to 2 years) to compare the test results over time. (Imaging may be done at more or less frequent intervals depending on the findings.) A small amount of blood (less than a tablespoon) will be drawn the day of each imaging procedure.

Laser Doppler imaging - This technique measures the amount of blood flow in KS lesions by scanning the lesions with a low-power laser beam. Each lesion takes about 3 minutes to scan. The imaging may be done before and after a blood pressure cuff around the arm is inflated for a short time (usually less than 30 seconds).

Multi-spectral imaging - This technique uses light to measure the total blood volume in each lesion and how much oxygen is in the blood. Oxygen is carried to the body's cells by a protein in red blood cells called hemoglobin. The light on the multi-spectral imaging instrument is absorbed differently depending on whether the hemoglobin has oxygen attached to it or not. It takes about 2 minutes to scan each lesion.

Infrared thermal imaging - This test uses a special camera to take digital infrared pictures of the skin. Images formed of the temperature of the KS lesions are used to assess blood flow in the lesions. This imaging takes about 1 minute per lesion.

Condition
Kaposi's Sarcoma

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  16

Kaposi's sarcoma is a highly vascular tumor. As such, it may provide a good model for the study of angiogenesis-based therapy in cancer. However, there are no standardized techniques now available to assess the effects of anti-angiogenesis therapy on blood flow in KS tissues. Such tests are needed at this time. The present protocol was written to allow us to explore and gain experience with three promising techniques to examine tumor vasculature in cutaneous KS lesions in patients now followed in our clinic: a) laser Doppler imaging; b) multi-spectral imaging and; c) infrared thermal imaging. Attempts will be made to cross correlate the data from these techniques to develop a valid non-invasive strategy for repeated serial assessments of tumor vascularity. As we gain experience with and validate these approaches, we hope to incorporate them into new protocols to assess these parameters in a more controlled and prospective manner.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Biopsy proven Kaposi's sarcoma involving the skin or mucosa.
Age greater than or equal to 18 years.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Unable or unwilling to give informed consent.

Maryland
      National Cancer Institute (NCI), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  010158; 01-C-0158
Record last reviewed:  February 28, 2005
Last Updated:  March 5, 2005
Record first received:  November 14, 2001
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00026793
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08