Colorectal Kaposi Sarcoma in an Immunosuppressed Ulcerative Colitis Patient

Das Kaposi-Sarkom – eine Komplikation bei therapierefraktärer Colitis ulcerosa

Wir berichten über den Zufallsbefund eines Kaposi-Sarkoms des Kolons bei schwerer therapierefraktärer Colitis ulcerosa. Die Patientin war zuvor lange immunsuppressiv mit Infliximab, Vedolizumab und Prednisolon behandelt worden. Serologische Untersuchungen schlossen eine HIV(„human immunodeficiency virus“)-Infektion aus.

Histologic Variants of Kaposi Sarcoma in the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Contemporary Multi-institutional Clinicopathologic Analysis of 46 Cases

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) can pose diagnostic challenges in biopsy specimens. Multiple histologic variants of cutaneous KS have been described; however, the histomorphologic spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) KS has not been systematically studied. This large series comprehensively evaluated 46 cases of KS involving the GI tract and identified 7 histomorphologic variants, some that have not been previously described. Five of them are inconspicuous but have unique morphologic patterns, including lymphangioma/lymphangiectatic-like (n=17), mucosal hemorrhage/telangiectatic-like (n=17), mucosal inflammation-like (n=15), granulation tissue-like (n=13), and mucosal prolapse-like (n=4) variants. These variants can be easily misdiagnosed or misinterpreted on routine examination if KS is not considered, and if the immunohistochemical stain for human herpesvirus-8 is not performed. The other 2 morphologic variants present as spindle cell proliferations and are the GI stromal tumor-like (n=8) and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor-like (n=2). These variants raise a broad differential diagnosis of spindle cell tumors of the GI tract and could pose diagnostic challenges. In summary, GI KS lesions exhibit variable, often unconventional histomorphologic patterns. KS should be included in the differential diagnosis even if features of conventional KS are not seen, particularly in limited biopsies in immunocompromised patients, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Although the clinical significance of these morphologic variants is yet to be determined, they are nonetheless important from a diagnostic standpoint. Misdiagnosis and delay in appropriate management can be avoided by recognizing the morphologic diversity of GI KS and appropriately utilizing the human herpesvirus-8 immunohistochemical stain.

Tofacitinib-Associated Iatrogenic Kaposi Sarcoma in a Patient With Ulcerative Colitis

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor. Although it contributes to the induction and maintenance of clinical remission of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, various malignancies have been reported after the use of this small molecule. We report a rare case of biopsy-proven Kaposi sarcoma in a patient with complex biological-resistant ulcerative colitis after 2 years of treatment with tofacitinib. Kaposi sarcoma lesions spontaneously regressed after tofacitinib was discontinued. Given the concern of potential risk of malignancy associated with this agent, we believe that specialists should be aware of this rare but serious possible adverse event.

Cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma in an HIV-negative patient with Crohn's disease on thiopurine immunosuppression

We present the rare case of a 61-year-old man with Crohn's disease who developed a cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma in the setting of long-term treatment with 6-mercaptopurine. Deciding on the best course of management provided a clinical challenge in an 'evidence-light' area. Relevant case reports and guidelines were reviewed. In general, the withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy is advised; however, a multidisciplinary, case-by-case approach is also emphasised. The patient's lesion was removed and, following collaborative discussion, immunosuppression was continued post resection. This is thought to be the first reported case involving a Kaposi's sarcoma in inflammatory bowel disease where immune therapy was not subsequently discontinued.

Human herpesvirus 8-associated colonic Kaposi's sarcoma during vedolizumab treatment in ulcerative colitis: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a rare vascular tumor associated with human herpesvirus (HHV)-8 infection. One of the variants of KS is defined iatrogenic and is overall reported in transplanted patient but also, although less frequently, in patients treated with long-standing immunosuppressive therapy, such as in inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Case presentation

Herein, we report the first case of KS in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative 47-year old male with UC after treatment with the α4-β7 integrin inhibitor vedolizumab (VDZ). The patient underwent to colectomy for a medical refractory disease and the histological examination of the surgical specimen showed the typical findings of KS together with the HHV-8 positivity. The patient achieved a good health status, without any sign of disease recurrence.

Conclusions

In the present case, we can assume that VDZ may have promoted the reactivation of a latent HHV-8 infection endowed with oncogenic potentialities and, in turn, the onset of KS. We also briefly reviewed all the cases of KS in HIV-negative patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Corticosteroid-induced Kaposi's Sarcoma Revealed by Severe Anemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

We herein report a case of gastrointestinal (GI) Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) without cutaneous involvement in a 73-year-old man who had received immunosuppressive drugs for granulomatosis with polyangiitis. After one year of prednisolone use, he presented with tarry stool and severe anemia. Endoscopic and pathological examinations revealed bright-reddish protruding lesions with proliferating spindle cells positive for D2-40, CD34, and HHV-8, which are definitively diagnostic of GI-KS. Drug-induced KS without HIV infection or transplantation is extremely rare, and its clinical features remain unknown. Therefore, we conducted a literature review of steroid-induced KS.