E. Van den Neste MD, PhD

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)

P3.15 Clofarabine as salvage therapy and bridge to transplantation in acute leukemia. A single center experience

P3.11 Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

P1.15 Outcome after salvage chemotherapy with DHAP/ICE-type regimens and attempt to transplant in patients with aggressive lymphoma: experience of a single centre

Treatment of mantle cell lymphomas: recommendations of the Belgian Hematological Society

Summary

Mantle cell lymphoma was recognised in the nineties and is characterised by the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation which results in overexpression of cyclin D1.¹ This disease represents approximately 6% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Mantle cell lymphoma generally affects patients over 60 years-old. Most patients have advanced disease (>70 % Ann Arbor stage IV). Several efforts have been made to predict outcome in mantle cell lymphoma. The cell-proliferation marker Ki-67, the Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and minimal residual disease are prognostic tools. For young patients, chemoimmunotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy plus stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice. For the main group of older patients, chemo-immunotherapy followed by maintenance with rituximab is the gold standard. In relapses, temsirolimus is actually registered and new drugs, such as ibrutinib, are currently evaluated with promising preliminary results.^2–5

(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(3):89–96)

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion associated with bortezomib

Summary

We observed severe hyponatremia in a patient who was treated with bortezomib for multiple myeloma. The patient was diagnosed with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone due to bortezomib.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(3):104–5)

BHS guidelines for the treatment of marginal zone lymphomas

Summary

Marginal zone lymphomas are a heterogeneous subtype of indolent B-non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that includes three distinct diseases: Extranodal mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, nodal marginal zone lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma lymphocytes +/− villous lymphocytes. The different diagnosis, work up and treatment options are discussed in these guidelines.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(1):12–21)