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

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.