Cd20 Expression and Effects on Outcome of Relapsed/ Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma after Treatment with Rituximab

Introduction: Down regulation of CD20 expression has been reported in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)). Therefore, it is important to determine whether chemotherapy with rituximab induces CD20 down regulation and effects survival. Objectives: To determine the incidence of down regulation of CD20 expression in relapsed DLBCL after treatment with rituximab and to compare outcomes and assess pattern of relapse between CD20 negative and CD20 positive cases. Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed patients with relapsed DLBCL who received rituximab in the first line setting at Aga Khan University Hospital between January 2007 and December 2014. Data were recorded on predesigned questionnaires, with variables including demographics, details regarding date of diagnosis and relapse, histology, staging, international prognostic index, treatment and outcomes at initial diagnosis and at relapse. The Chi square test was applied to determine statistical significance between categorical variables. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan­Meier method. Results: A total of 54 patients with relapsed DLBCL were included in our study, 38 (70 %) males and 16(30%) females. Some 23 (43%) patients were at stage IV at the time of diagnosis and 34 (63%) had B symptoms. The most frequent R-IPI at diagnosis was II in 24 (44%) patients. Only 6 (11%) did not show CD20 expression on re-biopsy for relapsed/refractory disease, 2 with CD20 negative DLBCL responding to second line chemotherapy. A complete response after salvage chemotherapy was noted in 16 (29.6%) cases with relapsed/refractory DLBCL. Seven (13%) patients underwent an autologous bone marrow transplant as consolidation after second line treatment. Median overall survival was 18 months in CD20 positive vs. 13 months in CD20 negative patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a small percentage of patients treated with rituximab lose their CD20 expression at the time of relapse. However, it is unclear whether this is associated with an inferior outcome.

Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Muslim cancer patients regarding cancer treatment during Ramadan: Results from a tertiary care hospital Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and attitude of Muslim cancer patients regarding cancer treatment during Ramadan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July to August 2015, and comprised cancer patients. .Adult Muslim cancer patients receiving active oncological treatment or on surveillance were included. Patients on only supportive treatment were excluded. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 265 patients, 87(32.8%) were males and 178(67.2%) were females. The overall mean age was 49±13.87 years. Besides, 184(70.9%) patients belonged to the middle class. Breast cancer was the most common cancer 106(40.6%). Overall, 153(57.9%) patients had stage II disease. Further, 201(80%) patients had 0-1 performance status. Moreover, 180(72%) patients were receiving different forms of chemotherapeutic agents. It was found that 113(54.3%) patients sought advice regarding fasting. Most of the patients who observed fast, i.e. 214(81%), had an early stage disease and 19(7.1%) were on hormonal therapy. Patients who did not fast mostly attributed this to fatigue 69(26.3%). Conclusion: Only half of the patients sought advice on fasting and those having early disease more. CONCLUSIONS: Only half of the patients sought advice on fasting and those having early disease more frequently observed fast.