T. Feys MBA, MSc

Highlights in multiple myeloma

SUMMARY

In recent years, the treatment landscape of patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) changed dramatically following a long list of positive phase III studies evaluating novel treatment combinations. During EHA 2018 several new positive studies were added to this list, further broadening the treatment armamentarium for RRMM. Following the successes in the RR setting, several of these novel agents are now also being explored in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients. At EHA 2018, updated results were presented with the daratumumab-VMP combination in older NDMM patients. In addition, the role of VRD consolidation in NDMM was assessed and overall survival (OS) data of the GIMEMA-MMY-3006 study were presented. The key messages of these and other studies will be discussed in this summary.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(4):141–5)

Highlights in aggressive lymphoma

SUMMARY

EHA 2018 featured several eagerly awaited presentations on Hodgkin lymphoma. This included subgroup data of the ECHELON-1 trial in patients with high-risk features and data of a PET-based treatment de-escalation study. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the RELEVANCE study assessed the chemotherapy-free lenalidomide-rituximab combination as 1^st line treatment for follicular lymphoma. In diffuse-large-B-cell lymphoma, updates were presented of the key studies evaluating CAR T-cell therapy and polatuzumab vedotin was found to improve the survival in relapsed/refractory patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(4):152–6)

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):130)

Highlights in acute leukemia

There has been a long period of time without any new acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatments. However, the tide has turned and data presented at ASH 2017 confirm that there are several promising therapies on the horizon. In fact, the FDA recently approved the FLT3 inhibitor midostaurin, the IDH2 inhibitor enasidenib and CPX-351 (liposomal daunorubicin and cytarabine) in the treatment of AML. In addition to this, promising data were presented with CAR T-cell therapy and (bispecific) antibodies, with the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax and many more. In addition to this, results of a HOVON trial were presented demonstrating clinical benefit of azacitidine maintenance therapy in older AML patients and refractory anemia with excess of blasts. ASH 2017 also featured the presentation of several studies assessing the role of MRD in the setting of AML. With respect to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most notable presentations included the results of the GIMEMA LAL1811 study evaluating the combination of steroids and ponatinib as frontline therapy in elderly, or unfit Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) ALL and the results of a study assessing the combination of bosutinib with inotuzumab ozogamicin in patients with relapsed/refractory Ph+ ALL or CML in lymphoid blast phase. In addition to this, Rambaldi et al. presented the overall survival (OS) data for adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-precursor ALL (B-ALL) who were treated with maintenance blinatumomab. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Dimitri Breems (department of hematology, ZNA Stuivenberg, Antwerp) for his help in selecting the abstracts for this summary.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(1):28–37)

Highlights from the 2017 annual meeting of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (Berlin, 8-13 July 2017)

SUMMARY

From July 8–13, Berlin formed the background for the 2017 annual meeting of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. During the congress, thousands of the world’s leading experts on thrombosis, haemostasis and vascular biology came together to present the most recent advances, exchange the latest science and discuss the newest clinical applications designed to improve patient care. In this summary, some of the key studies presented at the meeting will be discussed. For a more complete coverage of the meeting, we happily refer to the congress website: www.isth2017.org.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(5):203–7)

Novelties in the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma

SUMMARY

Practice changing novelties in the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) were scarce at EHA 2017. This summary will discuss three abstracts presented during an oral session dedicated to clinical findings in Hodgkin (HL) and indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iNHL).

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(4):141–3)

Highlights in chronic myeloid leukemia

SUMMARY

Treatment discontinuation has become a central issue in studies with BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The oral session on clinical trials in CML featured two studies on treatment discontinuation: one assessing initial reduction before complete TKI withdrawal and a second study evaluating the impact of minimal residual disease (MRD) on the outcome of imatinib discontinuation. In addition to this, a study was presented with long-term data on 400mg imatinib as first-line treatment for CML together with a study assessing frontline bosutinib. Finally, a last abstract in this session evaluated the second-generation BCR-ABL TKI dasatinib in children and adolescents with CML.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(4):151–4)