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 Dr. Kirsten Saevels (University Hospital Antwerp and member of the BJH editorial board), based on the added value of the studies in daily clinical practice.
ADDING IBRUTINIB TO BENDAMUSTINE AND RITUXIMAB PROLONGS PFS IN OLDER PATIENTS WITH PREVIOUSLY UNTREATED MANTLE-CELL LYMPHOMA
Combination therapy with bendamustine and rituximab has become one of the most-used first-line regimens for older patients with mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). Single-agent ibrutinib has shown durable activity in this setting, particularly when used at first relapse. In the phase 3 SHINE trial, the addition of ibrutinib to the bendamustine + rituximab combination resulted in a significant prolongation of the median PFS in older patients with previously untreated MCL… Read more
LISO-CEL SHOWS SUPERIOR EFFICACY VS. STANDARD OF CARE AS SECOND-LINE TREATMENT FOR PRIMARY REFRACTORY OR EARLY RELAPSED LBCL
Patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who are primary refractory or relapse within twelve months of first-line therapy often have poor outcomes. Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) has demonstrated efficacy and manageable safety in third-line or later LBCL. In the TRANSFORM trial, liso-cel demonstrated superior efficacy vs. the current standard of care for second-line therapy of primary refractory or early relapsed LBCL, along with a manageable safety profile… Read more
ADDING ELOTUZUMAB TO LENALIDOMIDE AND DEXAMETHASONE DOES NOT IMPROVE PFS IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA
Elotuzumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone has shown to improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) vs. lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. ELOQUENT-1 assessed whether this triplet could also improve PFS in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for HSCT. Unfortunately, adding elotuzumab did not improve PFS in this setting, and further research is needed to find ways to improve front-line treatment… Read more
LONCASTUXIMAB TESIRINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL LYMPHOMA
There is still an unmet medical need for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The CD19-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) loncastuximab tesirine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for relapsed DLBCL after two lines of systemic therapy, based on a trial showing a 48.3% overall response rate in this setting. To date, the spectrum of its clinical applications is expanding and loncastuximab tesirine is now also being tested in other B-cell malignancies… Read more
MANAGING COVID-19 DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH HAEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES: A CLINICAL CHALLENGE
Patients with haematologic malignancy (HM) infected by COVID-19 display hospitalisation rates higher than 50% and fatality rates of about 30%. Unfortunately, the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is often poor in these patients. In this, the subtype of haematologic malignancy and B cell–depleting treatment predict a poor immune response to vaccination. Haematologic patients with a deficient vaccine response need other protective measures, including pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis… Read more
Top
