Extracorporeal perfusion of plasma over immobilized protein A in a patient with Kaposi's sarcoma and acquired immunodeficiency.

Plasma of a homosexual man with Kaposi's sarcoma and acquired immunodeficiency was perfused over a protein A column using a continuous-flow plasma-cell separator. Three liters of plasma was perfused during each procedure and returned to the patient at a plasma flow rate of 10-20 ml/min. Three treatments were performed over a 1-week period. Transient removal of IgG, immune complexes, antilymphocyte antibodies, and serum blocking factors to mitogenic lymphocyte stimulation was observed during each treatment. Although no striking regression occurred, microscopic examination of sarcomatous lesions revealed decrease of tumor cell density and collagen proliferation within the tumor. Immunohistochemical deposition of C3 was observed in the tumor lesions after treatment. Side effects from the treatment included a mild drop of systolic blood pressure, sinus tachycardia, and a decrease in platelet count.