BJH - volume 15, issue 4, june 2024
J. Brijs MD, M. André MD, PhD, S. Bailly MD, K. Beel MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, G. Crochet MD, P. De Paepe MD, PhD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, K. Saevels MD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma and represents the most common subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The majority of patients (60–70%) can nowadays be cured with first line chemo-immunotherapy (CIT), mostly a combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP). The remaining 30–40% of patients with relapsing or refractory (R/R) disease have an unfavourable prognosis. Until recently, these patients could only be cured with platinum-based salvage CIT followed by high-dose chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplantation, but with rather disappointing outcomes. However, new and promising treatments for these patients have now found their way into clinical practice, with good response and survival rates and manageable toxicity rates. This article will briefly review the latest advances in the treatment of DLBCL in Belgium, both for newly diagnosed disease and for R/R disease. We will focus on the role of polatuzumab vedotin in first line, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in second line, tafasitamab-lenalidomide in second line or higher, and bispecific antibodies in third line or higher. New treatment algorithms, both for untreated and for R/R DLBCL, clinically oriented and adapted to the Belgian reimbursement criteria, are also presented.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(4):147–57)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 4, june 2023
U. Douven MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, G. Crochet MD, S. Bailly MD, C. Bonnet MD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, F. Offner MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. Vercruyssen MD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, P. Vandenberghe MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD
Approximately 30–40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS), will relapse or are unable to obtain a complete remission (CR) after frontline treatment. These patients have a poor prognosis and represent a therapeutic challenge. In this article, we reviewed the recent literature to update the practice guidelines of the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS) Lymphoproliferative Disease Committee for the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) DLBCL. In the first part, we will focus on first relapse and the role of CAR T-cell therapy in first and second relapse. In the second part, we will focus on novel treatment options for patients with a second or higher relapse, secondary central nervous system (CNS) relapse and high-grade lymphoma.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(4):170–7)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 3, may 2023
U. Douven MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, G. Crochet MD, S. Bailly MD, C. Bonnet MD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, F. Offner MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. Vercruyssen MD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, P. Vandenberghe MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD
Approximately 30–40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS), will relapse or are unable to obtain a complete remission (CR) after frontline treatment. These patients have a poor prognosis and represent a therapeutic challenge. In this article, we reviewed the recent literature to update the practice guidelines of the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS) Lymphoproliferative Disease Committee for the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) DLBCL. In the first part, we will focus on first relapse and the role of CAR T-cell therapy in first and second relapse. In the second part, we will focus on novel treatment options for patients with a second or higher relapse, secondary central nervous system (CNS) relapse and high-grade lymphoma.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(3):114–21)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 6, october 2022
C. Debergh MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, R. Van Ginderdeuren MD, T. Tousseyn MD, PhD, J. Van Calster MD, V. Vergote MD
BACKGROUND: Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a rare and difficult to diagnose lymphoma. The goal of this retrospective monocentric study was to obtain clinical characteristics, to evaluate median time to diagnosis, different treatment modalities and survival outcomes.
METHODS: PVRL cases were selected from the database of the University Hospitals Leuven (Belgium) from 1st January 2012 until 1st January 2021. A review of the available literature was performed.
RESULTS: We included eleven cases of PVRL with a median age of 76 years (Interquartile range (IQR): 68–81). Median time to diagnosis was seven months (Range: 3–16). Presenting symptoms were blurred vision (n=11, 100%) and floaters (n=3, 27%). Bilateral eye involvement was seen in 42% (n=5). Diagnosis was made by vitrectomy and immunocytochemistry in all cases. Histopathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in all cases. Flow cytometry was used in 55% (n=6) of patients to confirm diagnosis. Initial treatment included local therapy in all patients. A combination of local and systemic therapy was given to three patients (27%). Seven patients (64%) were diagnosed with CNS relapse. No systemic relapse was seen. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were ten (IQR: 6–32) and 26 months (IQR: 12–37). Median PFS of patients treated with local versus combined therapy was 9.7 and 18 months, respectively. However, OS of patients with local versus combination therapy was 29 and 19 months, respectively.
CONCLUSION: We analysed the clinical characteristics of eleven patients with PVRL in our hospital. The majority of these cases will eventually progress to CNS lymphoma. We saw a prolonged PFS for patients treated with combination therapy in first-line, compared to local therapy alone. However, OS was longer in patients treated with local therapy only. Despite the small cohort, these results are comparable to previous literature. Based on larger retrospective studies we conclude that local therapy as first line treatment in PVRL results in similar OS rates with less systemic toxicity compared to combination therapy.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(6):228–235)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 4, june 2022
M. Janssens MD, K. Saevels MD, V. Vergote MD, J. Lemmens MD, S. Bailly MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD
Besides disease-directed therapy, patients with lymphoma are in need of a wide range of supportive measures. In the second part of this guideline, the prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome, cardiac support and physiotherapy are discussed.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(4):149–55)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 3, may 2022
M. Janssens MD, K. Saevels MD, V. Vergote MD, J. Lemmens MD, S. Bailly MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD
Besides disease-directed therapy, patients with lymphoma are in need of a wide range of supportive measures. In the first part of this guideline the use of anti-emetic therapy, the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and antibiotic prophylaxis for pneumocystis jirovecii are discussed. In part 2 of this guideline we will discuss cardiac support, prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome and the role of physiotherapy.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(3):116–23)
Read moreBJH - volume 12, issue 1, february 2021
V. Vergote MD
Hundreds of interesting oral abstracts and poster presentations were presented at this year’s – first ever- virtual 62nd Annual Meeting of ASH. In this article, I will highlight the most promising data regarding diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (T-NHL).
(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(1):17-21)
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