Single-center phase 1 trial of safety of intralesional nivolumab for limited cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma

Intralesional vinblastine can induce regression of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) but is of painful. A phase 1 trial at the University of California San Francisco evaluated intralesional nivolumab for limited cutaneous KS among 12 partipicants (6 living with HIV). A 10 mg dose of nivolumab every 14 days for 4-8 doses administered into KS lesion in the skin was safe and well-tolerated. Three participants without HIV had complete response of their lesions. Transient reduction of PD-1 expression on circulating T cells was observed.