CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Advances in Laboratory Technology

For the “Advances in Laboratory Technology” session, the BHS invited two excellent scientists to discuss novel laboratory techniques that are ready – or almost ready – to enter routine haematological clinical practice. First, Prof. Tiziana Lazzarotto (University Hospital of Bologna, Sant’Orsola – Microbiology unit, Italy) walked us through the new methods for cytomegalovirus diagnosis in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients, particularly in light of the new antiviral therapies. Subsequently, Prof. Jonathan Edgeworth (The Centre for Clinical Infection & Diagnostics Research, United Kingdom) discussed the new applications, challenges and clinical usefulness of the novel Nanopore technique in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in haematological patients.

Addressing burnout and well-being in haematology

Burnout significantly affects the mental and physical health of physicians worldwide, a burden accentuated after the COVID-19 pandemic. During the second Special Lecture, Dr. Fay J. Hlubocky (University of Chicago Medicine, USA) discussed the current situation and the measures that can be taken to prevent or treat this syndrome in our daily haematology and oncology clinical practice.

Pierre Stryckmans Lecture – Hodgkin Lymphoma

The 2024 annual Pierre Stryckmans Lecture at BHS-GAM was presented by Prof. Dr. Peter Borchmann (German Hodgkin Study Group, University Hospital Cologne, Germany). The lecture, entitled ‘Hodgkin lymphoma’, offered an insightful overview of the disease immunological landscape and factors influencing treatment decision-making. Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Peter Borchmann guided us through a historical journey from early trials to recent studies and advancements, targeting both the early and late stages of the disease.

Artificial intelligence: When algorithms meet medicine

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has woven itself into our daily lives for many applications. In order to get a better view on how AI enters medicine, Dr. Jan Moritz Middeke (University Hospital Dresden, Germany) and Prof. Gilles Louppe (University of Liège, Belgium) gave an overview on practical applications, promising results and potential pitfalls of the use of AI in daily clinical practice.

How I treat in 2024: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Over the last decades, major advances in the molecular profiling of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) led to a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology and revealed potential therapeutic opportunities. As a result, the classification of AML subtypes has evolved from a morphological to a molecular and genetic basis. After years of stagnation, we recently witnessed a rapid expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium in this disease. Therefore, Professor Sébastien Anguille from Antwerp University Hospital gave an overview of the recent advances in this setting. On the other side, in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), about half of the adult patients who do not achieve a complete molecular response or who subsequently relapse cannot be cured with the current chemotherapy and targeted agents. In recent years, different immune-based therapies emerged, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, CAR-T cell therapy and antibody drug conjugates. These new treatment options were discussed by Professor Nicolas Boissel from the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris, France.

Myelofibrosis and new drugs

Myelofibrosis (MF) management poses a significant challenge, with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) standing as the sole curative option, yet only viable for 15% of patients. During the 2024 General Annual Meeting of the Belgian Hematology Society, Prof. Timothy Devos (UZ Leuven, Belgium) offered an insightful overview of both current treatments and promising future therapeutic strategies for managing MF.

Highlights in myelodysplastic syndromes

SUMMARY

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), also known as myelodysplastic neoplasms, are clonal myeloid disorders characterised by ineffective clonal haematopoiesis leading to peripheral blood cytopenia and a variable risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia. Even if hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative option, most patients with MDS are ineligible to this procedure because of age or comorbidities. In lower-risk MDS, the main approach still aims at improving cytopenia, mainly anaemia. In higher-risk MDS, hypomethylating agents represent the standard-of-care, but are not curative. This article summarised recent developments in this disease.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(1):27–30)