There is limited data on the impact of treatment interruptions due to nonadherence in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) treated with Imatinib. We looked at factors (including adherence to therapy) affecting the outcome in a large cohort of patients with CP-CML. All the 516 patients received Imatinib free-of-cost through a company sponsored scheme, which mandated regular three monthly visits for drug procurement. Data regarding the disease characteristics, adherence to treatment and outcomes, were obtained from patients records. Unwarranted interruption of treatment for more than 1 week was defined as nonadherence. With a median follow-up of 39 months, the estimated 5-year event free survival (EFS) was 70.8% (95%, CI 5 63.3-78.3). Nearly one-third of the patients (29.6%) were found to be nonadherent at some point during their treatment. On univariate analysis, the factors adversely affecting the EFS were prolonged symptom duration before diagnosis, treatment with hydroxyurea for more than 1 month before start of Imatinib, and nonadherence to therapy. Only nonadherence was significant in multivariate analysis (HR1.6; P 5 0.048). The 5-year EFS in adherent and nonadherent patients was 76.7% and 59.8% respectively (P 5 0.011, log rank test). Nonadherent patients were less likely to achieve complete cytogenetic responses (26% versus 44%; P 5 0.004; v 2 test) at any point. A significant proportion of patients with CP-CML have drug interruptions due to nonadherence during therapy and this compromises the EFS. Adherence to therapy must be included as an important evaluation parameter in all future studies of CML. Am. J. Hematol. 86:471-474, 2011. V

PURPOSE Escalated BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) improves overall survival (OS) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) relative to ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) therapy. However, the associated higher cost and toxicity discourage clinicians from prescribing it. Identifying high-risk patients and administering escalated BEACOPP remains an effective strategy. We assessed the significance of interim positron emission tomography (iPET) scan after 2 cycles (iPET2) in identifying this high-risk subset. PATIENTS AND METHODS This cohort study used secondary data from 12 tertiary care centers in South India gathered over 10 years (2008-2018). OS, event-free survival (EFS), determinants of EFS, and complete response (CR) in iPET2 were assessed. RESULTS The study included 409 patients with HL (mean age, 34.5 years; male/female ratio, 1.4:1). The median duration of follow-up was 2.8 years. Of 409 patients, 63% underwent PET-based staging and 37% underwent computerized tomography (CT) staging. Stage IV (28.9%) and bone involvement (9.2%) were seen more often with PET than with CT staging (9.2% and 2%, respectively). Among 171 patients with iPET2 results, 24% did not achieve CR, and no factors were significantly associated. The 5-year EFS and OS rates of the entire cohort were 78% and 97%, respectively. The 5-year EFS and OS rates of patients with CR on iPET2 were 90% and 99%, respectively, whereas these were 65% and 100%, respectively, for patients not achieving CR. On univariable analysis, sex, stage, and iPET2 response significantly predicted inferior EFS. On multivariate analysis, only iPET2 response significantly predicted EFS ( P < .000). CONCLUSION Our study supports the use of PET for staging and iPET2 for response assessment. Nonachievement of CR on iPET2 indicates unfavorable outcome, and such patients may benefit from more intensive treatment.

We present an unusual case of a large metastatic lesion from carcinoma cervix located in the clivus. Patient presented with severe headache and vomiting, mimicking an intracranial pathology. Radiological imaging suggested metastatic origin of the lesion and later on investigations revealed primary in the uterine cervix. The anatomic importance of extradural neural axis component in the process of metastasis of carcinoma cervix to the clivus is highlighted in this case report.

Anemia in tuberculosis is usually anemia of chronic disease. Severe hemolytic anemia is exceedingly rare in tuberculosis patients. We report a patient diagnosed with tubercular lymphadenitis complicated by Coomb's positive hemolytic anemia. Patient responded well to antituberculous treatment. Hematological parameters improved after initiation of antituberculosis treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case from India of an adult patient with tuberculous lymphadenitis presenting with Coomb's positive hemolytic anemia.

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