Dr. Nalini Kilara

Introduction: Primary extra nodal involvement of Hodgkin's lymphoma is very uncommon and previous reports of Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the base of tongue as isolated lesion in relapsed disease are few. Case presentation: A 79-years male patient who has diagnosed and treated for stage IV Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma 2 years back, now presented with isolated ulcerative lesion in base of tongue which was metabolically active on positron emission tomography scan, suspicious of recurrent disease and was confirmed by routine microscopy and immunohistochemistry of tissue biopsy. Conclusion: Extra nodal relapse at base of tongue was an uncommon clinical scenario in natural history of Hodgkin's lymphoma, which can present as an unexpected challenge for diagnosis and management. So we should be aware of this uncommon but unique presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Crizotinib, an orally active multi-targeted small-molecule anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor, is an effective treatment modality for advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most drug-related adverse events are mild to moderate; however, some patients may develop acute interstitial lung disease (ILD) which is sometimes fatal. We present a case of crizotinib-associated ILD in a 47-year-old woman treated with crizotinib for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patient presented with acute breathlessness and hypoxaemia in the second month of crizotinib therapy; radiological and histopathological work-up was suggestive of acute interstitial pneumonia. The patient improved clinically with corticosteroid therapy and was successfully re-challenged with crizotinib. In conclusion, while treating NSCLC patients with crizotinib, it is important to promptly investigate and treat any new-onset respiratory symptoms, as the latter could represent an adverse effect related to therapy. Prompt discontinuation of the offending drug and initiation of corticosteroid therapy may prevent adverse outcomes.

Background: Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) assessment is crucial for directing treatment decisions in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). In low- and middle-income countries, limited resources can present challenges to implementing MRD-guided therapy intensification for ALL. The study attempted to assess the relationship between MRD and other prognostic factors in ALL, focusing on treatment outcomes and disease progression. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital in Bengaluru, examining patient data from January 2021 to December 2021. MRD status was determined post-induction using flow cytometry. Patients were classified into various groups based on factors such as type of ALL (B-cell or T-cell), NCI risk status (standard or high), cytogenetic risk (favorable, poor, or intermediate), CNS status, prednisone response, and MRD levels at the end of induction. Results: Out of 72 patients, 25% were MRD-positive, with a male: female ratio of 2.13:1. B-ALL was diagnosed in 49 patients and T-ALL in 23, with 75% categorized as high-risk by NCI criteria. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a diverse profile (23.61% PR, 48.61% IR, 27.78% FR), and 58.33% exhibited a good prednisone response (GPR). At the end of the induction phase, 25% tested positive for MRD, with B-ALL showing a lower MRD rate at 15.2%. Age and NCI risk status significantly influenced MRD outcomes, with 75% of participants classified as high-risk. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between MRD positivity and factors such as age, NCI risk status, and B-ALL diagnosis, underscoring the complex interaction of these variables in predicting treatment outcomes for ALL patients.