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The article present a case study of a 75-year-old woman who was diagnosed with refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-2 after an about 17-years history of polycythemia Vera (PV). It mentions the bone marrow (BM) trephine biopsy was notable for a hypercellular BM, abundant megakaryocytes, and focally moderate reticulum; and also mentions a mild clonal B-cell lymphocytosis appeared leading to the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

IGHV mutational status and ZAP-70 or CD38 expression correlate with clinical course in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The three markers may be discordant in the single case and there is no consensus on their combined use in clinical practise. This multicenter study investigated this issue. Two-hundred and sixty-two Binet stage A patients were studied for the three markers. Sixty patients were profiled with HG-U133A gene expression chips. Disease progression was determined by time from diagnosis to treatment (TTT). The probability of being treatment-free at 3 years was significantly shorter in patients with unmutated IGHV genes ( IGHVunmut 66% vs. 93%, chi square of log-rank = 30, P < 0·0001), ZAP-70 positive (ZAP-70pos 73% vs. 96%, chi square of log-rank = 8·2, P = 0·004) or CD38-positive cells (CD38pos 68% vs. 91%, chi square of log-rank = 21, P < 0·0001). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the three markers had an independent predictive value for TTT of similar power. A prognostic system based on presence of none (low-risk), one (intermediate-risk) or two or three (high-risk) markers was generated. Based on such criteria, 56%, 23% and 21% of cases were clustered in low (HR = 1), intermediate [HR = 2·8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·4–5·8] and high-risk group (HR = 8·0, 95% CI 3·9–16·2). Specific transcriptional patterns were significantly associated with risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare and potentially life-threatening event which may complicate the course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at any time and steroid-refractory AIHA of CLL poses a therapeutic challenge for physicians. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of a rituximab-containing regimen in a CLL patient with steroid- and IVIg-refractory AIHA. A 57-year- old man affected by CLL, presented with fatigue, dyspnoea, tachycardia and jaundice. His physical examination revealed overt jaundice, hepato- and splenomegaly, and enlargement of lymph nodes in all superficial sites. The blood chemistry showed severe anemia (Hb value 3.9 g/dL), high white blood cell count (89 × 109/L), altered hemolysis markers and direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was positive for both complement and IgG. The patient failed to respond to both a 4-day course of high-dose dexamethasone IV (40 mg/day) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (1 g/kg/day × 2 days). Thus, a schedule containing rituximab (375 mg/m2 day +1), cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2 day +2) and prednisone (60 mg/m2 from day +1 to day +7) (R-CP) were administered. Four cycles, repeated every 4 weeks, were administered. After 4 days from the infusion of this schedule, the patient showed a marked reduction of the lymphocytosis, and the hemoglobin level started to increase. No rituximab-related side effects were recorded. At the end of treatment DAT became negative and patient achieved a nodular Partial Remission (nPR). Our data showed the safety and efficacy of a rituximab-containing regimen in a life-threatening CLL-related AIHA, refractory to steroid and IVIg therapy. This schedule has allowed the patient to obtain a prompt and dramatic rise in hemoglobin level and a response to both AIHA and CLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]