T. Feys MBA, MSc

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(5):224)

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(3):130–1)

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(2):96–7)

Highlights in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The introduction of targeted agents revolutionized the care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While these agents first proved their clinical benefit in the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease and in CLL patients with dismal prognostic features (e.g. del(17p), TP53 mutations) they were subsequently also tested in the first-line setting and in patients without high-risk cytogenetic characteristics. During the 2018 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), results were presented of several pivotal trials that will likely change the frontline treatment paradigm for CLL patients. A second hot topic in CLL that received lots of attention at ASH 2018 consists of minimal residual disease (MRD). Several studies were presented looking into the feasibility of obtaining a MRD negative status with (combinations of) novel targeted agents in CLL and look into the prognostic significance of obtaining MRD negativity. Finally, R/R disease continues to be the setting in which novel therapeutic options are being tested. During ASH 2018 results of several clinical trials evaluating combinations of existing targeted agents were presented in addition to data on completely new therapeutics (e.g. chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T cell therapy) that try to make their mark in CLL. This article will summarize some of the key highlights in CLL presented at ASH 2018.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(1):11–7)

Highlights in chronic myeloid leukemia

With respect to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), the 2018 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology featured the following sessions: The CML educational session, 3 oral sessions with 6 abstract presentations each, and a long list of posters. This report will briefly summarize the key messages from the educational session discussing the choice of first-line treatment in CML patients. The highlights from the oral and poster sessions will be grouped in three categories: new drugs in CML, treatment-free remission (TFR) and CML and pregnancy.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(1):31–5)

Highlights in lymphoma

This article will summarize the key studies in the field of lymphoma presented at the 2018 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). The selected abstracts include updates in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). We would like to thank Dr. Christophe Bonnet (CHU de Liège) for his help in selecting the most relevant lymphoma abstracts from the ASH program.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(1):41–8)

Should we measure DOACs?

At the time of the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the beginning of this century, episodic and routine monitoring of these drug concentrations was deemed unnecessary. Unlike oral vitamin K anticoagulation, DOACs showed predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. However, once in clinical practice it became clear that under specific circumstances predictability of drug concentrations was less than optimal. During his educational presentation, Prof Johathan Douxfils (Univeristy of Namur) provided some answers to the questions why, when, and how we should measure DOAC concentrations.