Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare lymphoma associated with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and characterized by a malignant body cavity effusion without solid organ or nodal involvement. Prognostic factors in patients with PEL have not been systematically studied. We conducted a literature search for patients with HHV8-positive PEL to identify potential prognostic factors for survival. Our search identified 147 patients, among which 104 patients were HHV8-positive. The median overall survival was 9 months. The median age was 57 years with a male predominance (6:1). Pathologically, 33% of the patients expressed CD20 and 69% expressed CD30. Patients with PEL with > 1 body cavity involved had a median overall survival (OS) of 4 months compared with 18 months in patients with only one cavity involved (p = 0.003). Additionally, in patients with one involved body cavity, pericardial involvement was associated with a longer median OS than pleural followed by peritoneal involvement (40, 27 and 5 months, respectively; p = 0.04). In conclusion, our study suggests that the number and location of body cavities involved are prognostic in patients with PEL.

Smoking seems to increase the odds of developing HL in current smokers. The risk of HL is higher in men and older individuals and increases with higher intensity and longer duration of smoking.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health concern being the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States. The availability of better therapeutic options has led to a decline in cancer mortality in these patients. Surgical resection should be considered in all stages of the disease. The use of conversion therapy has made surgery a potentially curative option even in patients with initially unresectable metastatic disease. In this review we discuss the role of various antiangiogenic agents in patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC). We describe the mechanism of action of these agents, and the rationale for their use in combination with chemotherapy. We also review important clinical studies that have evaluated the safety and efficacy of these agents in mCRC patients. Despite the discovery of several promising anti-angiogenic agents, mCRC remains an incurable disease with a median overall survival of just over 2 years in patients exposed to all available treatment regimens. Further insights into tumor biology and tumor microenvironment may help improve outcomes in these patients. Core tip: Colorectal cancer is a major health concern and a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. New innovations have provided improved survival in recent years. In this review, we outline the novel anti-angiogenic agents and their respective roles in metastatic colorectal cancer. In addition to three agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration, several alternative anti-angiogenic agents hold promise for use in the metastatic setting.Konda B, Shum H, Rajdev L. Anti-angiogenic agents in metastatic colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2015; 7(7): 71-86 Available from:

Objective: Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS) accounts for about 30% of causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people. In Hong Kong, there are scarce data on SADS and a lack of experience in molecular autopsy. We aimed to investigate the value of molecular autopsy techniques for detecting SADS in an East Asian population. Methods:This was a two-part study. First, we conducted a retrospective 5-year review of autopsies performed in public mortuaries on young SCD victims. Second, we conducted a prospective 2-year study combining conventional autopsy investigations, molecular autopsy, and cardiac evaluation of the first-degree relatives of SCD victims. A panel of 35 genes implicated in SADS was analysed by next-generation sequencing.Results: There were 289 SCD victims included in the 5-year review. Coronary artery disease was the major cause of death (35%); 40% were structural heart diseases and 25% were unexplained. These unexplained cases could include SADS-related conditions. In the 2-year prospective study, 21 SCD victims were examined: 10% had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, 5% had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 85% had negative autopsy. Genetic analysis showed 29% with positive heterozygous genetic variants; six variants were novel. One third of victims had history of syncope, and 14% had family history of SCD. More than half of the 11 first-degree relatives who underwent genetic testing carried related genetic variants, and 10% had SADS-related clinical features. Conclusion: This pilot feasibility study shows the value of incorporating cardiac evaluation of Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome in young victims: a five-year retrospective review and twoyear prospective molecular autopsy study by nextgeneration sequencing and clinical evaluation of their first-degree relativesNew knowledge added by this study • This study provides important data on the prevalence and types of sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS) among young victims of sudden cardiac death in an East Asian population. • This is the first local feasibility study on the service model incorporating cardiac evaluation of surviving relatives and molecular autopsy by next-generation sequencing into the conventional forensic investigations. Implications for clinical practice or policy • Genomic testing should be conducted on patients with cardiomyopathies and channelopathies.• Clinical assessment should be provided for at-risk family members irrespective of genetic findings.• Molecular autopsy together with conventional autopsy conducted by qualified pathologists should be applied to victims of SADS, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or sudden infant death syndrome.