Date: 3 July 2025 | Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM EAT

Moderator: Dr Beatrice Jepngetich

Dr. Anne Mwirigi – Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL

Dr. Anne Mwirigi presented a stage IVB germinal-center DLBCL case to illustrate why approximately 14% of Kenyan patients fail standard R-CHOP, highlighting that true primary-refractory disease carries a median survival under nine months. She emphasized early risk stratification using IPI scoring, interim PET imaging, and molecular markers to identify high-risk individuals. For chemosensitive relapses, salvage regimens such as R-GDP and R-ICE can bridge to autologous stem cell transplant; however, CAR-T therapy and CD3×CD20 bispecific antibodies deliver the highest response rates. Practical recommendations included confirming residual disease with biopsy, accelerating cellular therapy referral in primary-progressive cases, and advocating for regional access programs to overcome cost barriers.

Dr. Jonathan Wawire – High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma Entities

Dr. Jonathan Wawire decoded the WHO 5th-edition classification of high-grade B-cell lymphomas, clarifying that a Ki-67 index ≥80% and dual MYC/BCL2 or BCL6 rearrangements define the most aggressive subtypes. He noted Kenya’s elevated prevalence of non-GCB and double-expresser lymphomas, which correlate with poorer outcomes and necessitate intensified regimens. Key diagnostic insights included routine Ki-67 quantification, Hans/Choi cell-of-origin algorithms, and reflex FISH panels for precise double-hit detection. He stressed that accurate subclassification is essential for deciding when to intensify therapy beyond R-CHOP—such as DA-EPOCH-R—or to enrol patients in clinical trials, ensuring truly personalized care for aggressive lymphoma in African settings.