Articles

BHS guidelines for the treatment of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) anno 2020

BJH - volume 11, issue 2, march 2020

G. Swennen MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, S. Bailly MD, C. Bonnet MD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. Maerevoet MD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, K. Saevels MD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has improved dramatically since the introduction of rituximab and about two thirds of patients can be cured with immunochemotherapy. In the last twenty years, it became clear that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a very heterogeneous disease and based on the genetic mutation landscapes numerous efforts have been made to develop novel treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma further. This article provides an update of diagnosis, current treatment guidelines and novel treatment strategies for newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Belgium. It will also focus on treatment of elderly patients and high-grade B-cell lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(2):56–66)

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Updated BHS guidelines for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia anno 2018

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

A. Janssens MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, V. Van Hende MD, D. Bron MD, PhD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The Belgian Haematological Society Lymphoproliferative Working Party updated the existing recommendations on best strategies for frontline and subsequent line treatment of small lymphocytic leukaemia/chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia according to new reimbursements and robust clinical data.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):101–12)

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P37 Comparison of Multigam® IV (5% vs. 10%) in hematological patients with secondary immunodeficiencies to evaluate infusion time, tolerability and satisfaction. A monocentric observational Belgian study

BJH - 2018, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2018

Ir J. Van Ham , M. Delforge MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, J. Raddoux , M. Beckers MD, PhD, T. Devos MD, PhD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, J. Maertens MD, PhD, H. Schoemans MD, PhD, P. Vandenberghe MD, PhD

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CNS prophylaxis in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

BJH - volume 8, issue 6, october 2017

C. Meert MD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, G. Verhoef MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Although it doesn’t occur frequently, central nervous system relapse in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma carries a very dismal prognosis. Indications for the use of prophylactic strategies are clear-cut in Burkitt and lymphoblastic lymphoma. However, this remains subject to much debate in other types of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Available strategies consist of intrathecal administration of chemotherapy, the systemic use of high-dose central nervous system-penetrating cytotoxic agents or a combination of both. Nevertheless, all known methods entail a certain risk for toxicity in patients. Hence, great effort has been put in the search for risk factors and scores to identify high-risk patients who have benefit from central nervous system-prophylaxis and to exclude those who do not. This article aims to provide an overview of existing strategies, pharmacological properties and side effects of available cytotoxic agents, as well as an update on the current guidelines for the implementation of central nervous system prophylaxis in different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, due to lack of qualitative prospective data, a golden standard in this field is still lacking.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(6):232–8)

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Treatment of mantle cell lymphomas: Updated recommendations of the Belgian Hematological Society 2015

BJH - volume 6, issue 5, december 2015

V. Vergote MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, G. Verhoef MD, PhD, E. Mourin MD, M. André MD, PhD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD

summary

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma characterised by a t(11;14) translocation resulting in overexpression of cyclin D1 and cell cycle dysregulation. Mantle cell lymphoma represents approximately 7–9% of all lymphomas in Europe.1 Although new treatment regimens have improved the outcomes over the last decades, mantle cell lymphoma is still considered one of the worst prognosis B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with a median overall survival of less than five years.2 In September 2014 the Belgian Hematological Society recommendations for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma were published.3 Since then, novel therapies such as ibrutinib and bortezomib have been approved by the European Medicines Agency in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma. We present the new updated recommendations of the Belgian Hematological Society Lymphoproliferative Working Party. For young patients, the first line therapy remains an AraC-containing chemo-immunotherapy followed by high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. For the main group of elderly patients, chemo-immunotherapy followed by maintenance with rituximab appears to be the gold standard. In relapse we can recommend treatment with BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib as first choice. Temsirolimus is reimbursed as third line treatment. Relapse patients should also be considered for allogeneic stem cell transplantation if eligible.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2015;6(5):203–8)

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O.1 Results from the Belgian mantle cell lymphoma registry

BJH - volume 6, issue Abstract Book BHS, january 2015

V. Vergote MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD, All Other Members of The BHS

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P1.13 Temsirolimus in daily clinical practice: results from the Belgian mantle cell lymphoma registry

BJH - volume 6, issue Abstract Book BHS, january 2015

A. Janssens MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD, All Other Members of The BHS

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