Variable response to propranolol treatment of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, tufted angioma, and Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2012 Nov;59(5):934-8. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24103. Epub 2012 Feb 2.

Abstract

Propranolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist successfully used in a case of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) associated with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). We report 11 patients treated with propranolol for KHE and the related variant tufted angioma (TA), six of whom also had KMP. The varied responses to treatment, with only 36% responding in our series, demonstrate the need for further study of this medication before routine use for these indications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Hemangioendothelioma / drug therapy*
  • Hemangioendothelioma / pathology
  • Hemangioma / drug therapy*
  • Hemangioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / pathology
  • Male
  • Propranolol / administration & dosage*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Propranolol

Supplementary concepts

  • Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma
  • Tufted angioma