BJH - volume 13, issue 1, february 2022
C. Hermans MD, PhD
New therapeutic developments in the field of haemophilia were highlighted at the ASH 2021 congress. These included the results of inhibition of antithrombin production via fitusiran for the prevention of bleeding events in haemophilia A and B patients with or without inhibitors, the success of emicizumab, a bispecific antibody that mimics the action of FVIII, in patients with moderate or mild haemophilia A, and finally the promising results of FVIII fused to the Fc fragment of the immunoglobulins as an agent for FVIII tolerance induction in patients with inhibitors. In the field of antithrombotics, a meta-analysis confirms the place of direct oral anticoagulants in cancer patients with thrombosis. Xarelto has demonstrated its value in patients with visceral venous thrombosis and a large study does not support the thrombogenicity of mRNA-based COVID vaccines.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(1):37-42)
Read moreBJH - volume 12, issue 5, september 2021
C. Hermans MD, PhD, K. Peerlinck MD, PhD, A. Gadisseur MD, PhD, P. Quoc MD, V. Mondelaers MD, P. Maes MD, C. Van Geet MD, PhD
The aim of this non-interventional, observational study conducted in haemophilia B patients in Belgium was to collect real-world data to confirm the efficacy and safety of rIX-FP established in pivotal clinical trials.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(5):203-6)
Read moreBJH - volume 12, issue 4, june 2021
C. Vandenbriele MD, PhD, L. Van der Linden PhD, PharmD, L.N.L. Van Aelst MD, PhD, B. Schwagten MD, PhD, F. van Heuverswyn MD, S. Meers MD, PhD, V. Galle MD, T. Van Nieuwenhuyse PharmD, K.L. Wu MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD, C. Hermans MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD
Over the last decade, the oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib induced a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM). In clinical trials and in real-world studies, ibrutinib proved to be an effective agent with an overall favourable safety and tolerability profile. However, compared with standard chemo-immunotherapy (CIT), ibrutinib was associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The patho-physiological mechanisms underlying this increased AF incidence are not completely understood, but it is thought to be related to off-target inhibitory effects of ibrutinib on the Tec protein tyrosine kinase (TEC) in cardiac cells. The prevalence of AF in patients treated with ibrutinib is highest during the first three months of therapy, which warrants an increased vigilance during this treatment phase. However, AF in patients treated with ibrutinib is generally well manageable without ibrutinib discontinuation. Prior to the start of ibrutinib treatment, identification and addressing modifiable risk factors for AF is a first important step. The threshold for haematologists to consult a cardiologist or a cardio-oncologist should be low and a close collaboration between both specialties is warranted. Unnecessary ibrutinib interruptions should be avoided, and uncomplicated AF is not a valid reason to discontinue or interrupt ibrutinib. If anticoagulation is required, direct oral anticoagulants are preferred. In this paper, a panel of haematology and cardiology specialists have provided practical guidance on how to evaluate patients prior to ibrutinib treatment and monitor during ibrutinib therapy. Furthermore, they have provided practical guidance on how to manage AF in ibrutinib-treated patients.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(4):155-64)
Read moreBJH - volume 11, issue 4, june 2020
A. Janssens MD, PhD, D. Bron MD, PhD, V. Van Hende MD, V. Galle MD, K. Jochmans MD, PhD, S. Meers MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD, M-C. Ngirabacu MD, PhD, K.L. Wu MD, PhD, B. De Prijck MD, P. Verhamme MD, PhD, C. Hermans MD, PhD
In recent years ibrutinib emerged as a paradigm shifting agent in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM). In clinical trials and in real-world studies ibrutinib proved to be an effective agent with an overall favourable tolerability profile. However, compared with standard chemo-immunotherapy (CIT), ibrutinib was associated with a higher incidence of clinically significant bleeding. This has been hypothesized to be linked to the platelet-specific effects of inhibiting Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Most bleeding events under ibrutinib are low-grade with a decreasing incidence over time. However, bleeding can have a significant impact on patients and interfere with persistence and compliance of ibrutinib treatment. Currently, no clear consensus exists on the use of ibrutinib in patients with an increased bleeding risk, on the management of ibrutinib-induced bleeding and on the use of ibrutinib around surgery or invasive procedures. In this paper, a panel of Belgian haematology and haemostasis specialists formulated practical advice on bleeding prevention and management in ibrutinib-treated patients.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(4):174–84)
Read moreBJH - volume 11, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2020
G. Verstraete MD, C. Lambert MD, PhD, C. Hermans MD, PhD
BJH - volume 9, issue Abstract Book BSTH, february 2018
C. Lambert MD, PhD, N. Meité , C. Hermans MD, PhD
BJH - volume 9, issue Abstract Book BSTH, february 2018
Q. Binet , C. Lambert MD, PhD, C. Hermans MD, PhD
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