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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Propranolol for the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma in Adults

A Multicenter Phase II Study of Propranolol for the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma in Adults

Propranolol for the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma in Adults (NCT06445166) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Kaposi Sarcoma, sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) lesions are initiated by endothelial cells infected with KS herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Lesion progression is driven by abnormal angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and uncontrolled cell proliferation. KS remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in many African countries where economic constraints prevent successful treatment in most patients. Treatment outcomes in developed countries are also often unsatisfactory in HIV positive patients despite good virological and immunological responses to antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, identification of new oral, safe treatment options for treatment of KS remains a research priority. Given the known anti-angiogenic properties and based on the treatment response with other benign vascular lesions such as infantile hemangioma, propranolol is a good candidate for the treatment of KS. The hypothesis of this study is that treating patients with Kaposi sarcoma with propranolol will result in an overall response rate (complete response rate plus partial response rate) of at least 45%, and that propranolol will be safe and well tolerated in this patient population.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Kaposi Sarcoma and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 25 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Biopsy proven Kaposi Sarcoma that is measurable with a millimeter ruler. Patients presenting for both front-line therapy and subsequent-line therapy will be considered. - Must have two lesions greater than or equal to 4 mm x 4 mm, or one lesion greater than or equal to 8 mm x 8 mm, that are accessible for 4-mm punch biopsy. The patient must have at least 5 more lesions in addition to the lesion(s) being biopsied. - At least 18 years of age. - Weight ≥40 kg - ECOG performance status ≤ 2 - Meets the appropriate HIV-related criteria: - If HIV positive, patient must be on antiretroviral therapy (ART) that conforms to local standards of care for at least 12 weeks. HIV positive patients will not be excluded based on CD4 count or HIV viral load. - If on ART 12 to 24 weeks, must show evidence of KS progression requiring further systemic treatment. - If on ART for \> 24 weeks, must show no evidence of regression in the last 8 weeks. - If HIV negative, must not show evidence of improvement in the 12 weeks prior to enrollment. - Propranolol is US FDA pregnancy category C. For this reason, women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for one month after completion of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, s/e must inform her treating physician immediately. - Able to take an oral pill. - Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written willing to sign a consent form document. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Visceral disease causing functional impairment. - Urgently clinically indicated for immediate cytotoxic chemotherapy. Patients who have received cytotoxic chemotherapy \> 4 weeks prior to screening are eligible. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Biopsy proven Kaposi Sarcoma that is measurable with a millimeter ruler. Patients presenting for both front-line therapy and subsequent-line therapy will be considered. * Must have two lesions greater than or equal to 4 mm x 4 mm, or one lesion greater than or equal to 8 mm x 8 mm, that are accessible for 4-mm punch biopsy. The patient must have at least 5 more lesions in addition to the lesion(s) being biopsied. * At least 18 years of age. * Weight ≥40 kg * ECOG performance status ≤ 2 * Meets the appropriate HIV-related criteria: * If HIV positive, patient must be on antiretroviral therapy (ART) that conforms to local standards of care for at least 12 weeks. HIV positive patients will not be excluded based on CD4 count or HIV viral load. * If on ART 12 to 24 weeks, must show evidence of KS progression requiring further systemic treatment. * If on ART for \> 24 weeks, must show no evidence of regression in the last 8 weeks. * If HIV negative, must not show evidence of improvement in the 12 weeks prior to enrollment. * Propranolol is US FDA pregnancy category C. For this reason, women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for one month after completion of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, s/e must inform her treating physician immediately. * Able to take an oral pill. * Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: * Visceral disease causing functional impairment. * Urgently clinically indicated for immediate cytotoxic chemotherapy. Patients who have received cytotoxic chemotherapy \> 4 weeks prior to screening are eligible. * Prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen. Patients with prior or concurrent malignancy that does NOT meet that definition are eligible for this trial * Currently taking beta-andrenergic antagonist(s) for other indications. Prior use is allowed if the last dose of the beta-andrenergic antagonist is ≥ 5 half-lives of the agent prior to Day -7. * Currently receiving concurrent treatment with an anticancer therapy. Patients must not have received any anticancer therapies within 4 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of propranolol. * Currently receiving any other investigational agents. * A history of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to propranolol. * History of asthma or current diagnosis of obstructive airway disease such as asthma, COPD, or bronchiolitis. * History of diabetes mellitus, as defined by any of the following: A random blood glucose value of at least 200 mg/dL in the presence of hyperglycemia symptoms (weight loss, blurry vision, thirst, polyuria), fasting plasma glucose value of at least 126 mg/dL, A1c value of at least 6.5%, or two hour plasma glucose value of at least 200 mg/dL during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. * History of uncompensated heart failure, severe sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, or heart block greater than first degree. * History of hypotension (systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure \<65 mmHg) or orthostasis (\>20 mmHg fall in systolic pressure or \>10 mmHg fall in diastolic pressure with standing). (Isolated instances of hypotension may not be exclusionary after discussion with PI.) * Shortness of breath, hemoptysis, or moderate/severe cough not attributable to causes other than KS. * Bleeding from the mouth or rectum not attributable to causes other than KS. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to: ongoing clinically significant active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or cardiac arrhythmia. * Concern for KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome. * Pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 21 days of study entry. * Evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) that is detectable on suppressive therapy. Patients with evidence of chronic HBV infection with undetectable HBV viral load on suppressive therapy are eligible. HBV testing not required in the absence of known history of infection. * History of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that has not been cured or that has a detectable viral load. Patients with a history of HCV that has been treated and cured are eligible. Patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment and have an undetectable HCV viral load are eligible. HCV testing not required in the absence of known history of infection.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Propranolol Hydrochloride

Dosing is as follows: * Patients who weigh 40 to 59.9 kg: * 40 mg BID (target) * 20 mg BID (half the target) * Patients who weigh ≥ 60 kg: * 60 mg BID (target) * 30 mg BID (half the target)

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06445166), the sponsor (Washington University School of Medicine), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06445166 clinical trial studying?

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) lesions are initiated by endothelial cells infected with KS herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Lesion progression is driven by abnormal angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and uncontrolled cell proliferation. KS remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in many African countries where economic constraints prevent successful treatment in most patients. Treatment outcomes in developed countries are also often unsatisfactory in HIV positive patients despite good virological and immunological responses to antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, i… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06445166?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06445166?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06445166. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06445166. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.