J. Blokken PhD, PharmD

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia for the haematologist

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemias (AIHAs) are rare and heterogeneous disorders characterised by the destruction of red blood cells through warm or cold antibodies. During a special lecture during the 2022 BHS GAM, Prof. Marc Michel (Henri-Mondor University Hospital, Paris-Est Créteil, France) gave an overview of the diagnostic and treatment landscape for AIHA anno 2022. The incidence of AIHA runs from 1.8-2.4/100,000 individuals each year, with an increasing incidence in the last decade. The median age at onset for patients with warm AIHA (wAIHA) is 58 years, while cold agglutinin disease (CAD) mainly effects older patients (median age at onset of 67 years). AIHA patients are at a high risk of mortality and thrombosis.¹

Joint BeSHG-BHS meeting

The Belgian Society of Human Genetics (BeSHG) was launched in March 2000 and aims at promoting human genetics in its wider sense, i.e. by supporting genetic research, improving exchanges between Belgium and foreign countries, organising scientific meetings, and enhancing collaboration between Belgian labs. During the 37th general annual meeting of the Belgian Haematology Society, a joint BeSHG-BHS session was organised. In this session, Karlijn Brekelmans (University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium) first discussed how genetic predisposition in haemato-oncological disorders can be detected, with a focus on technique, type of tissue that can be used and turn-around-time. Her talk was followed by a presentation from Esmé Waanders (Princess Maxima Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands) discussing geentic predisposition in lymphoid malignancies.

Advances in laboratory technology

In recent years, we have witnessed many advances in laboratory technology to detect germline or somatic mutations that predispose individuals to the development of haematopoietic malignancies. The laboratory technology session during the BHS GAM kicked off with a presentation from Dr. Ann Debecker explaining the differences between CHIP, CHOP and ARCH. In a second lecture of the laboratory technology session, Dr. Ine Moors provided a contemporary overview on genetic predisposition for myeloid malignancies.

Highlights in aggressive and indolent Lymphoma

SUMMARY

During the 63^rd annual meeting of ASH, again hundreds of interesting oral abstracts and poster presentations in the field of aggressive and indolent lymphoma were discussed. In this article, we will highlight some of the most promising data in the field of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, classic Hodgkin lymphoma, enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(1):29-36)

Congress highlights ISHL12

SUMMARY

The 12^th International Symposium on Hodgkin Lymphoma (ISHL12) took place as a hybrid conference in Cologne, Germany, from October 22 to 24, 2022. During the conference, ISHL12 provided a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in biology, clinical research, diagnostics and treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma. The main focus was on older and frail patients as well as on patients with early stage disease. Several workshops, interactive case discussions and satellite symposia complemented the program.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(8):328–32)

BCMA targeting in multiple myeloma

SUMMARY

Over the past decade, significant progress was made in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Nevertheless, research efforts continue in an attempt to develop treatment options with novel mechanisms of action that have higher efficacy, can evade resistance to prior lines of treatment and are well tolerated. As the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is preferentially expressed by mature B-lymphocytes and is overexpressed in MM patients, it provides an interesting therapeutic target in MM. Thus far, three treatment modalities have been developed for BCMA targeting; bispecific antibody constructs, antibody-drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, each with its own advantages and challenges. This review provides an overview of the (preliminary) clinical data that were generated with these different treatment modalities.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(8):387-97)

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(7):339)