Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable Head and Neck Cancers: A Comparative Study of Three-Drug and Two-Drug Regimens in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) Context.

Background Borderline resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant therapeutic challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) aims to downstage tumors to achieve operability, but the optimal regimen remains controversial due to varying efficacy and toxicity profiles. This study compares the efficacy and toxicity of a three-drug regimen (TPF: docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) with a two-drug regimen (taxane and platinum) in patients with borderline resectable HNSCC in an LMIC setting.

Outcomes of Dose Escalation of Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients: A Retrospective Analysis From an Indian University Teaching Hospital.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment in low- and middle-income countries faces significant financial and logistical constraints. In scenarios where second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are unavailable or unaffordable, dose escalation of imatinib provides an alternative. This study evaluates the efficacy, safety, and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes of dose escalation of imatinib in CML patients who experienced suboptimal response or progression on standard doses.

Treating low- and intermediate-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia with and without chemotherapy: A comparison in a tertiary care center.

Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) comprises approximately 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases.

Material And Methods: Both options of treatment (ATRA-ATO and ATRA-chemotherapy) were discussed with patients with low- and intermediate-risk APL, pros and cons explained in details, and treatment regimen selected after getting informed written consent.

Results: Total 71 patients were included in the study; among these patients, 3 were negative for both FISH for t (15,17) and RT-PCR for promyelocytic leukemia retinoic acid receptor alpha, and 36 patients with APL had white blood cell count at diagnosis >10 × 10/l.

An association of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation subtypes with prognostic prediction and site-specific recurrence in advanced stage lung cancer patients.

Background: Concerning the different clinical behavior of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) subtypes in advanced-stage lung cancer patients, the current study aimed to evaluate the clinical, pathological, and prognostic significance of EGFR mutation subtypes, and treatment response in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer.

Methods And Results: A retrospective study enrolled a total of 346 patients with advanced-stage lung cancer tested for EGFR mutation. EGFR mutation was analyzed by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR).

Severe persistent marrow aplasia in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): An unusual complication of imatinib.

Background: Imatinib has changed the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) drastically since 15 years. It is usually well tolerated, but severe persistent marrow aplasia is an unusual complication of imatinib while using it in CML. The aim of this study is to describe our experience confronting this rare side effect and review the available data worldwide.

Nivolumab in Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck: A Tertiary Cancer Center Experience.

Apurva A. PatelAnanya Pareek  Immunotherapy is a proven therapeutic option in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) after platinum therapy. At present, there are no published Indian data regarding administration of nivolumab in this setting.

Experience of Nivolumab Prior to Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Relapsed Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Nivolumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) monoclonal antibody that is indicated in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL) after autologous stem cell transplant (autoSCT). Purpose of our retrospective study was to assess safety and efficacy of Nivolumab in R/R HL as a bridge to autoSCT in patients who are refractory to ≥ 2 lines of chemotherapy. Demographic data, number of chemotherapy regimens given previously, number of Nivolumab doses taken, and disease status on PET/CT were noted.

Spine Myeloid Sarcoma: A Case Series with Review of Literature.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a malignant extramedullary tumor consisting of immature cells of myeloid origin. It may precede, present concurrently or follow acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in de novo case or may also be present and might be the only manifestation of recurrent AML, myelodysplastic syndrome, or chronic myeloid leukemia. It frequently involves skin, orbit, bone, periosteum, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract, soft tissue, central nervous system, and testis.

Combined Detection of Copy Number Variations of MYCN and ALK using Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction to Identify High-Risk Patients with Neuroblastoma.

Objective: The current study sought to explore the significance of copy number variations (CNVs) of MYCN (v-myc myelocytomatosis viral related oncogene, neuroblastoma derived [avian]) and ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) genes individually as well as their combined impact on clinical outcome and overall survival of patients with neuroblastoma (NB).

Methods: A total 71 individuals including healthy controls (n = 11), circulating DNA (n = 11), and primary tumors (n = 49) were evaluated to detect CNVs of MYCN and ALK genes using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Data were correlated with univariate and multivariate survival analysis.

Unmanipulated Stem Cell Boost for Mixed Chimerism in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia.

Early mixed chimerism (MC) can lead to secondary graft rejection post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in transfusion dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients. Reduction of immunosuppression and donor lymphocyte infusions is the mainstay for treating MC. We report our experience of administering unmanipulated stem cell boost (SCB) in reversing progressive early MC.

Impact of nationwide lockdown on cancer care during COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective analysis from western India.

Background And Aims: COVID-19 has impacted healthcare system worldwide including cancer case. Aim of this study was to describe the experience of lockdown on cancer care concerning patient's visit and reception of treatment in western India.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study conducted in patients with cancer attending a tertiary care center pre-lockdown and during lockdown (from January to May 2020).

Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma Patients: A Liquid Biopsy Approach.

In the era of the targeted therapy identification of detection in lung cancer is extremely helpful to predict the treatment efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Unfortunately, the inadequacy and quality of the biopsy samples are the major obstacles in molecular testing of in lung cancer. To address this issue, the present study intended to use liquid biopsy as the non-invasive method for detection.

Post-transplant Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Benign Hematological Disorders: Experience of 4 Cases with Review of Literature.

Post transplant Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a form of secondary HLH, which can be either early onset or late onset and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With the increasing popularity of post transplant cyclophosphamide based haploidentical stem cell transplantation (SCT), post transplant HLH is becoming a significant complication especially in benign hematological disorders. Methods: We present 4 cases of post transplant HLH occurring in 2 cases of severe aplastic anemia (post haploidentical SCT) and 2 cases of thalassemia major (post matched sibling SCT).

Pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia: A single-center experience.

Background: The rationale of this study is to reveal the statistics of pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients.

Subjects And Methods: It is a retrospective analysis conducted to assess pediatric CML data from January 1998 to December 2014. There are 65 (3.

Clinical and epidemiological profile of neuroendocrine tumors: An experience from a regional cancer center from Western India.

Background: Most of the data on neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are from the Western literature. Indian studies regarding clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes are lacking.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study of all new patients with NETs (except small-cell lung cancer) registered at our tertiary care cancer institute from November 2014 to November 2016.

Experience of Sorafenib as First-Line Treatment in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Centre.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is chemoresistant and radioresistant disease with poor survival historically, but outcome has improved in past decade after introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors like sunitinib and sorafenib. Sorafenib has not been tested in Indian patients with metastatic RCC till now. This is a single arm, prospective, observational study done in unselected population of 60 patients with metastatic RCC treated with sorafenib as first- line therapy to assess efficacy and safety.

Immunosuppressive therapy for aplastic anemia: a single-center experience from western India.

Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine A (CsA) is the first-line therapy for acquired aplastic anemia (AA) in those not suitable for bone marrow transplant. Horse ATG (hATG) is preferred for this purpose, but its use is often impeded by shortages and costs. Being a rare disease, there is limited data on this therapy.

Clinical and microbiological profile of infections during induction phase of acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: The primary objective of this study is to describe clinical and microbiological profile of infections during induction phase of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the case records of 50 hospitalized patients with AML undergoing standard dose induction chemotherapy from January to December 2015.

Results: Out of 50 cases, 34 were males 16 females with median age of 30 years.

Interdigitating dendritic cell tumor: A rare case report with review of literature.

Interdigitating dendritic cell tumor/sarcoma (IDCT) is a very rare and aggressive neoplasm arising from antigen-presenting cells. It usually involves lymph nodes, but extranodal sites can also be involved. Because of the rarity of the disease, consistent standard treatment guidelines have not been established till date.

Hepatosplenic Gamma Delta T-Cell Lymphoma (HSGDTCL): Two Rare Case Reports from Western India.

Peripheral T cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of post-thymic, mature lymphoid malignancies, accounting for approximately 10-15% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSGDTCL) is a rare entity, which is characterized by primary extra nodal disease with typical sinusoidal or sinusal infiltration of the liver and the spleen, respectively by expression of the T-cell receptor γδ chain, and by a number of other frequent clinicopathologic features, including aggressive course of disease. Secondary involvement of liver by hematopoietic malignancies is much more common as compared to primary liver involvement.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as Secondary Malignancy in a Case of Ewing's Sarcoma on Treatment.

The survival of Ewing's sarcoma (ES) has improved due to advances in both local and systemic therapy. This has given rise to an increased detection of second malignant neoplasms which can be in the form of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The most common hematological malignancies are acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome.

A comparative study of bloodstream infections in acute myeloid leukemia according to different phases of treatment: Can we predict the organism?

Introduction: The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) consists of induction therapy with anthracyclines and cytarabine followed by two to four cycles of consolidation therapy with high-dose cytarabine after achieving remission. There have been very few studies comparing infections during induction and consolidation. We have analyzed blood cultures of patients with AML during episodes of fever occurring during induction and consolidation, for comparing the bloodstream infections in both the phases.

Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma with brain metastases in a paediatric patient: an unusual presentation.

Primary lung neoplasms are rare in children. The most common primary lung malignancies in children are pleuropulmonary blastoma and carcinoid tumour. Synovial sarcoma (SS) accounts for approximately 1% of all childhood malignancies.