Five cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in kidney graft recipients - Possible influence of the immunosuppressive therapy

Background. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an human herpesvirus 8-associated tumor, occurring in immunocompromised patients, We report here an increased incidence of KS among kidney graft recipients (KGRs) during the last 2 years, concomitant to the introduction of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Methods. A total of 1835 KG;Rs, receiving organs between 1987 and 1997, were surveyed for the development of RS, A total of 371 patients received therapy including MMF (group A), whereas 1464 patients were treated with an MMF-free protocol (group B). Results, 3/371 patients (0.8%) of group A versus 2/1464 patients (0.1%) of group B developed KS, In group A, KS became evident 7+/-2 months after initiation of MMF therapy. Conclusions. At our center, during the last 2 years, the incidence of KS has increased in KGRs, and it is not clear whether the introduction of MMF contributes to the phenomenon.