COVID-19-induced thrombotic microangiopathy: A great mimicker of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

We present a unique case of a 68-year-old male who was diagnosed with COVID-19. His hospital course was complicated by widespread thrombosis, renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was initially suspected, yet plasma exchange and steroids did not improve his disease. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with COVID-19-induced thrombotic microangiopathy.

Biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid organ malignancies has become widespread in the last decade. Accumulating evidence shows broad survival benefit as compared to traditional chemotherapies. At the same time, a need has emerged to stratify these drugs in various patient populations and histologies. Consequently, various immune biomarkers have been proposed to help in selecting patients for these therapies. Here, we review the evidence pertaining to biomarkers including programmed death-ligand 1, defective mismatch repair, tumor mutational burden, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, gene expression profiles, circulating blood cells, circulating DNA and the gut microbiome. The value of PD-L1 testing in certain malignancies, such as lung and urothelial cancer is highlighted as well as emerging data from trials such as GARNET and CheckMate142 (AU)

Biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors.

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid organ malignancies has become widespread in the last decade. Accumulating evidence shows broad survival benefit as compared to traditional chemotherapies. At the same time, a need has emerged to stratify these drugs in various patient populations and histologies. Consequently, various immune biomarkers have been proposed to help in selecting patients for these therapies. Here, we review the evidence pertaining to biomarkers including programmed death-ligand 1, defective mismatch repair, tumor mutational burden, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, gene expression profiles, circulating blood cells, circulating DNA and the gut microbiome. The value of PD-L1 testing in certain malignancies, such as lung and urothelial cancer is highlighted as well as emerging data from trials such as GARNET and CheckMate142.

Aggressive lymphoma presenting as dysphagia: A rare cause of dysphagia.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can involve the esophagus from local spread, distant metastasis and very rarely can also be the primary site. Once DLBCL is diagnosed, caution should be exercised in further evaluation for local treatments of sites like adnexal masses as was seen in this case; sometimes it is DLBCL at atypical sites.

Biomass smoke exposure and chronic lung disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Approximately 3 billion people worldwide rely on coal and biomass fuel for cooking and heating. Biomass smoke exposure is associated with several chronic lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, usual interstitial pneumonitis, hut lung, and bronchial anthracofibrosis. Household air pollution primarily from biomass smoke is the biggest risk factor for COPD worldwide. Despite the significant burden of biomass smoke-related respiratory disease, the exposure is still underappreciated worldwide, especially in high-income countries. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature highlights the immunoinflammatory differences between biomass smoke-related COPD and tobacco smoke-related COPD that may lead to better understanding of the differences in the clinical phenotypes between the two entities, suggests an association with the recently recognized asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, and elucidates the burden of disease in high-income countries. SUMMARY: The current review focuses on the association between biomass smoke and common chronic respiratory diseases, discuss differences between biomass smoke-related COPD and tobacco smoke-related COPD, highlights chronic respiratory diseases that are specific for biomass smoke exposure such as hut lung and bronchial anthracofibrosis, and discusses the known impact of beneficial interventions.