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. André Bosly (Professor Emeritus and member of the BJH editorial board), based on the added value of the studies in daily clinical practice.
FIXED-DURATION VENETOCLAX-RITUXIMAB OUTPERFORMS BENDAMUSTINE-RITUXIMAB IN PATIENTS WITH R/R CLL
The 2-year results of the MURANO trial already reported superior survival benefits with two years of fixed treatment with venetoclax-rituximab (VenR) vs. bendamustine-rituximab (BR) in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The 5-year update of this trial shows that VenR offers sustained benefits in progression-free survival, overall survival and minimal residual disease over BR, regardless of the presence of high-risk biomarkers… Read more
A+AVD SUPERIOR TO ABVD FOR THE FIRST-LINE TREATMENT OF NEWLY DIAGNOSED STAGE III OR IV HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA
Previously, the phase III ECHELON-1 trial showed improved long-term progression-free survival of A+AVD vs. the classical ABVD as first-line treatment of patients with newly diagnosed stage III or IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After six years of follow-up, A+AVD also demonstrates significant improvement in overall survival vs. ABVD. Additionally, fewer patients in the A+AVD group received subsequent therapy and developed a second cancer… Read more
NEW DYNAMIC PROGNOSTIC INDEX OUTPERFORMS CLASSICAL IPI FOR THE PROGNOSIS OF DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL LYMPHOMA
The prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is classically assessed by the International Prognostic Index (IPI). However, as developments in diagnosis and therapy improve prognosis of these patients, the ability of IPI to estimate treatment failure reduces. This study presents a simple and robust prognostic index that predicts outcomes for DLBCL better than IPI. This model comprises three factors: baseline metabolic tumour volume, age and tumour stage… Read more
ANTIBODY RESPONSE AFTER VACCINATION AGAINST SARS-COV-2 IN PATIENTS WITH HAEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES
In patients with haematological malignancy, the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is impaired and vaccines are thus an important preventive option. However, patients with haematological malignancies display reduced antibody responses rates to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, particularly for those with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and aggressive or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The humoral response to vaccination was further affected by remission status, history of COVID-19, and treatment... Read more
PROPHYLAXIS WITH LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN HAS NO BENEFIT FOR AT-RISK OUTPATIENTS WITH COVID-19
As COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic complications, the question arises as to whether intervention with prophylactic-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) during the early stages of COVID-19 might prevent later complications in at-risk outpatients. The ETHIC trial compared prophylactic enoxaparin vs. standard of care (SOC) in this setting, showing no clinical benefit of LMWH over SOC. These results suggest that LMWH prophylaxis should not be used routinely in this setting… Read more
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