Alice Indini, MD, medical oncologist, Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy, discusses the rationale for the phase 2 PULSAR trial in classic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS).

During the 2021 ESMO Congress, the study schema for the PULSAR trial was presented in a virtual poster. The trial is evaluating the combination of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus lenvatinib (Lenvima) in patients with CKS, which is a cutaneous neoplasm of endothelial origin. The disease arises from chronic human herpesvirus-8 infection and an impaired immune function status, Indini says.

Strong rationale exists for using PD-1 inhibitors as monotherapy, as well as in combination with anti-angiogenic agents, such as lenvatinib, Indini explains. Moreover, CKS is associated with high expression of VEGF signaling pathways, which contribute to tumorigenesis, Indini concludes.

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Alice Indini, MD, discusses the rationale for the phase 2 PULSAR trial in classic Kaposi sarcoma.



Alice Indini, MD

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Dr. Indini on the Rationale for the PULSAR Trial in Classic Kaposi Sarcoma