A. Janssens MD, PhD

Updated BHS guidelines for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia anno 2016

summary

The Belgian Hematological Society Lymphoproliferative Working Party updated the 2012 recommendations on the best strategies for front-line and subsequent-line treatment of small lymphocytic leukaemia/chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. No treatment is necessary for patients without active and/or advanced disease, regardless of prognostic factors. When front-line treatment is indicated we recommend adding an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to chemotherapy except in frail patients: fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab for fit patients; bendamustine, rituximab for fit patients >65 years or unfit for fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab; and chlorambucil with obinutuzumab or rituximab for older patients with a geriatric profile, major comorbidities or a reduced performance status. The choice of treatment for patients with recurrent disease depends on the duration of response to the previous treatment, the type of treatment refractoriness and the presence of a 17p deletion/p53 mutation. As an alternative, chemoimmunotherapy can be proposed for patients with a late relapse. The novel B-cell receptor inhibitors are the best choice for those relapsing early, who have refractory disease or are unfit for chemoimmunotherapy. The B-cell receptor inhibitors are also first choice for each patient with a de novo or acquired 17p deletion/p53 mutation. Reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation should still be considered for patients with high-risk disease after response induction by the B-cell receptor inhibitors. We still have to encourage patients to enter clinical trials exploring new drug combinations.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2015;6(5): 195–202)

Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia: Belgian Hematology Society guidelines

summary

Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia is a B-cell disorder characterised by bone marrow infiltration with lymphoplasmacytic cells, along with demonstration of an IgM monoclonal gammopathy in the blood. This condition belongs to the lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas as defined by the World Health Organization classification (ICD-0 code 9671/3). Approximately one-fourth of patients are asymptomatic. Clinical features of the symptomatic patients are diverse and may relate to overall disease burden (such as peripheral blood cytopaenias, organomegaly and constitutional symptoms) or may be directly attributable to the IgM paraprotein. The latter include hyperviscosity syndrome, amyloidosis, peripheral neuropathy and cold haemagglutinin. Therapeutic options have traditionally involved alkylating agents, nucleoside analogues, and rituximab, either as single therapy or in combination. However, emerging new data on combination therapy as well as novel agents have shown encouraging results. This report provides the Belgian Hematology Society guidelines according to recent clinical studies.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2015;6(4):142–50)

BHS Guidelines for the treatment of Burkitt’s lymphoma

Summary

Burkitt’s lymphoma is a rare but very aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma characterised by an isolated translocation t(8;14)(q24;q32). The sporadic form is the sub-entity most frequently encountered in Belgium. Diagnosis and initial work-up must be completed rapidly to start treatment as soon as possible. Positron emission tomography scan is useful for initial staging and to evaluate the chemosensitivity of the tumour during and after treatment. After debulking, it is recommended to add rituximab to chemotherapy. Currently intensive short-cycle and low intensity chemotherapies are two valuable options. Radiotherapy is not indicated except in case of central nervous system involvement. Patients achieving complete remission must be followed carefully during the first year to detect recurrence of the disease. More than 80% of patients sustain their remission one year following initial treatment and are considered cured. For patients in partial remission or with chemosensitive relapse, autologous stem cell transplantation is recommended following re-induction with non-cross-resistant polychemotherapy. Monitoring complete blood counts and cognitive functions is important to detect late toxicity of the applied therapies.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2015;6(2):61–9)

P4.10 De novo thrombotic microangiopathy after non-renal solid organ transplantation

O.1 Results from the Belgian mantle cell lymphoma registry

P1.12 Tumor lysis syndrome: monocentric evaluation of a predictive tool

P1.13 Temsirolimus in daily clinical practice: results from the Belgian mantle cell lymphoma registry