New approaches to the treatment of human herpesvirus 8-associated disease

Rev Med Virol. 2008 Sep-Oct;18(5):321-9. doi: 10.1002/rmv.583.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8, also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or KSHV) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), as well as many cases of Castleman disease. Despite significant advances in understanding the biology and natural history of these diseases, current treatment options have important limitations, and strategies to prevent their development in high-risk individuals are lacking. This article reviews the scope of HHV-8-associated disease, as well as the efficacy of current treatment options. Finally, novel approaches to treatment and prevention are described, including antiviral agents, targeted molecular therapy and a combination of these modalities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Castleman Disease / drug therapy
  • Castleman Disease / immunology
  • Castleman Disease / pathology
  • Castleman Disease / virology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Ganciclovir / analogs & derivatives
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Herpesviridae Infections / classification*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / therapy*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Primary Effusion / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Primary Effusion / epidemiology
  • Lymphoma, Primary Effusion / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / epidemiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Valganciclovir

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Valganciclovir
  • Ganciclovir