In this section of the BJH, we provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on haematology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here was made by PROF. DR. DOMINIQUE BRON (Haematologist at Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels and member of the BJH editorial board), based on the added value of the studies in daily clinical practice. In addition to the key highlights of the articles, an expert opinion of Prof. Bron on each of these topics is included.
POLARIX: Pola-R-CHP versus R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated DLBCL
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is typically treated with R-CHOP. However, only 60% of patients are cured with this regimen. Therefore, the phase III POLARIX trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of a modified regimen of R-CHOP (pola-R-CHP), in which vincristine was replaced with polatuzumab vedotin, as compared with standard R-CHOP. The risk of disease progression, relapse, or death was lower in patients receiving pola-R-CHP than those receiving R-CHOP… Read more
Eltrombopag added to immunosuppression improves haematologic response among patients with severe aplastic anaemia
Only two-thirds of patients with acquired aplastic anaemia respond to standard immunosuppressive treatment with horse antithymocyte globulin plus cyclosporine. According to the phase III RACE trial results, the addition of eltrombopag to the standard treatment improves the rate, rapidity, and strength of haematologic response among previously untreated patients with severe aplastic anaemia, without additional toxic effects… Read more
Durable MRD negativity associated with improved PFS in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
New disease assessment methods are needed to serve as surrogate endpoints with more expedient read-out for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. By analysing the data of the phase III MAIA and ALCYONE trials, it becomes clear that daratumumab-based therapies are associated with higher MRD rates and durability, and that durable MRD negativity is associated with improved progression-free survival… Read more
The impact of early venetoclax discontinuation or dose modification on outcomes of patients with R/R CLL
Thus far, there was limited information on the impact of premature venetoclax discontinuation and/or treatment modification on the survival outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (R/R CLL). A post-hoc analysis of the MURANO trial now demonstrates that venetoclax treatment discontinuation is associated with poor outcomes for the patients, while temporal interruptions or dose modifications have no significant impact… Read more
Adding romidepsin to CHOP in first-line treatment of peripheral t-cell lymphomas does not improve clinical outcomes
Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are frequently treated with CHOP although the majority of patients have poor outcomes. The phase III Ro-CHOP trial recently assessed the efficacy and safety of combining CHOP plus romidepsin (Ro-CHOP) in this setting. However, unfortunately romidepsin plus CHOP is not superior to CHOP alone in the first-line treatment of PTCL and is associated with significantly higher toxicity. As such, the results of this trial do not support the addition of romidepsin to CHOP… Read more
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