Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that accounts for 10% of pregnancy-associated leukemias. The Philadelphia chromosome balanced translocation, t (9:22) (q34; q11.2), is the classic mutation seen in CML. The BCR-ABL oncoprotein encoded by this mutation is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is considered a first-line treatment for CML. However, the literature has revealed risks of teratogenicity with TKI therapy during pregnancy. Understanding the risks and benefits of TKI therapy and alternative therapies such as interferon-alpha (IFN-α) will help clinicians and pregnant patients develop a personalized CML treatment plan. This manuscript presents a case series detailing the management of five pregnancies in two pregnant patients with CML and a literature review of CML management in pregnancy.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), which include primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and essential thrombocytopenia (ET), are characterized by the clonal proliferation of mature blood cells as a result of the overactivation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH), a common complication of PMF, occurs due to the dysregulation of the bone marrow microenvironment. We report an interesting case of a 73-year-old female with a working diagnosis of ET who was found to have EMH in the liver on biopsy after she had newly onset elevated liver enzymes and her ET had progressed to secondary myelofibrosis. We conclude that in patients with MPN who have rising liver enzymes, EMH in the liver should be part of the differential diagnosis. In addition, we believe that EMH is a sign of progression from MPN to secondary myelofibrosis and that it is imperative for performing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in order to reassess hematopoiesis and to look for bone marrow fibrosis as well as evidence of progression.

Primary effusion-based lymphomas are uncommon and may pose significant diagnostic challenges. Fluid overload-associated large B-cell lymphoma is a recently recognized entity in the 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Hematolymphoid Tumors and should be included in the differential diagnosis of effusion-based lymphomas, particularly in elderly immunocompetent patients with conditions that predispose to fluid overload. Background and Clinical Significance: We report a case of fluid overload-associated large B-cell lymphoma to add to the limited literature and highlight distinguishing features from other primary effusion lymphomas. Case Presentation: A 77-year-old male with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction was admitted for respiratory failure and found to have a right-sided pleural effusion. Two pleural fluid specimens examined several weeks apart revealed sheets of large atypical lymphoid cells positive for CD20, Pax-5, CD79a, CD45, MUM1, BCL2, BCL6 (weak) and negative for TTF1, CD68, MOC31, BER EP4, WT1, Calretinin, CD3, CD138, CD30, and cMYC. Human Herpesvirus-8 and Epstein–Barr virus were negative. Staging showed a few mildly fluorodeoxyglucose-avid mediastinal lymph nodes which were benign. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed with fluid overload-associated large B-cell lymphoma and treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone, but passed away three months after diagnosis. Conclusions: Fluid overload-associated large B-cell lymphoma is a new and important diagnostic consideration in effusion-based lymphomas. It may be mistaken for other conditions such as primary effusion lymphoma or other diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The presence of a Human Herpesvirus-8-negative effusion-based lymphoma in an elderly immunocompetent patient without nodal or tissue involvement should prompt consideration of fluid overload-associated large B-cell lymphoma.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient which is involved in many physiological processes in the human body including immune system regulation, cellular survival, neurologic function, and erythropoiesis. Therefore, a wide range of clinical manifestations can be associated with zinc deficiency, such as impaired immune function, dermatologic findings, and decreased growth. Another significant, yet often underrecognized, manifestation of zinc deficiency is anemia. This review discusses the pathophysiology leading to zinc deficiency-associated anemia, highlighting zinc’s role in erythropoiesis, heme biosynthesis, and red blood cell stability. It also outlines various populations which are more at risk for developing zinc deficiency-associated anemia as identifying these groups can aid clinicians to improve screening, especially in patients with unexplained or refractory anemia. Numerous trials in selected populations have demonstrated significant improvement in anemia following zinc supplementation. However, additional studies are critical in order to streamline screening guidelines and establish optimal zinc supplementation dosing. This review aims to increase awareness of zinc deficiency’s contribution to anemia in order to improve screening and clinical outcomes for patients.

From the 6th Binaytara Precision Oncology Summit: At The Forefront of Targeted Cancer Therapy

Background/Objectives: Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) is a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy approved for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL). However, most published meta-analyses of CAR-T therapy in LBCL pool data across products, limiting product-specific interpretation. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials and retrospective real-world studies evaluating liso-cel monotherapy in R/R LBCL. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included complete response (CR), incidence of grade ≥ 3 adverse events, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), overall mortality rate (OMR), disease progression-related mortality, and adverse event-related mortality. Pooled proportions were estimated using random-effects models. Results: Eleven studies including 1206 patients were analyzed, comprising five clinical trials and six real-world retrospective cohorts. The pooled ORR was 78%, and the pooled CR rate was 60%. The pooled OMR was 38%, with a disease progression-related mortality of 28% and an adverse event-related mortality of 4%. Severe (grade ≥ 3) CRS and ICANS occurred in 2% and 8%, respectively. Severe (grade ≥ 3) hematologic toxicities were frequent, particularly neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Conclusions: Liso-cel monotherapy demonstrated high pooled response rates and low pooled incidences of severe CRS and ICANS across clinical trials and real-world settings in R/R LBCL. Severe ICANS, although uncommon, remains clinically meaningful, and severe hematologic toxicities were frequent and warrant careful monitoring and supportive care. These findings provide product-specific benchmarks for liso-cel in R/R LBCL.