ABSTRACT
The article "The impact of bleomycin deficit on survival in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients: A retrospective study" have presented the experience of AVD chemotherapy regimen in newly diagnosed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in a single center in Brazil. Though being a small retrospective study, results from this study have provided the medical community a real-world data on HL in Brazil. ABVD has remained the standard of care for patients of newly diagnosed HL both in early and advance stages. Newer targeted molecules have also come for use in novel combinations with existing drugs. However, in a situation of temporary scarcity of bleomycin due to lack of supply during 2017 in Brazil led to use of incomplete ABVD regimen without bleomycin, i.e. AVD for HL. However, Soldi et al. utilized the opportunity to retrospectively study if the omission of bleomycin leads to subnormal treatment or unwarranted effects.
ABSTRACT
People with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are at higher risk of developing Lymphomas in comparison to people without HIV. The risk of developing lymphomas in patients with HIV continues to persist, even in the HAART era. We retrospectively analysed outcomes of patients with HIV associated lymphomas between Jan 2012 and Oct 2022, with minimum follow up of 6 months. Outcomes have been reported in terms of overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS). Statistical methods such as Kaplan Meier test were used to assess the overall survival and progression free survival, while chi-square test was used to assess factors affecting disease response. Twenty-three patients were identified as HIV associated lymphoma in that duration. Four patients were excluded from the cohort due to insufficient data in the database record. 12 (63.15%) were male and 07 (36.85%) were females with male: female ratio of 1.7:1. Median age was 42 years ranging from 21 to 66 years. 11 (57.9%) patients had stage-4 disease at presentation. Median CD4 counts at diagnosis was 615/µl, ranging from 130 to 1100/µl. DLBCL cases were in majority which showed 60% of CR post 1st line Chemotherapy. At the last follow-up, 04 (21.05%) patients were dead and 15 (78.95%) patients were alive. 10 years Overall survival [OS] and Progression Free Survival [PFS] was found to be 78.95% ± 11 at a median follow up of 42.6 months ranging (1.7-114.3) months. HIV associated lymphomas have an acceptable prognosis, despite majority presenting with stage 4 disease, low median CD4 count at diagnosis, concomitant ART, and treatment with intensive chemotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Autoimmune cytopenias may be the initial presentation in patients with HIV infection or can develop while on treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). These cytopenias usually resolve after initiation of ART. We report a rare case of HIV who presented with Evans syndrome on ART, being refractory to steroids and rituximab but with response to splenectomy.
ABSTRACT
Pseudo-aneurysm of the brachial artery is relatively rare condition affecting the arterial vessels of the limbs. It can be due to trauma, infections or systemic vasculitis. We report a patient with aplastic anemia who developed pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery following an episode of bacterial sepsis. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated on blood culture. Patient was treated with systemic antibiotics and underwent embolization of the pseudo-aneurysm. He later developed vascular insufficiency of the forearm and a stent had to be placed in the brachial artery at the site of calcified thrombus inside the pseudo-aneurysm to produce the patency of the artery and ensure adequate blood flow to forearm and hand.
