BJH - 2023, issue Recent highlights in Acute Leukemia, october 2023
T. Feys MBA, MSc
Over the last decade, major advances in the molecular profiling of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) led to a deeper understanding of its pathobiology and revealed potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. As a result, the classification of AML subtypes has evolved from a morphologic to a molecular and genetic basis. After years of stagnation, we have recently witnessed a rapid expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium for AML. Apart from the use of low-intensity induction therapy with hypomethylating agents and venetoclax in patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, this includes the introduction of targeted agents for the treatment of AML patients harboring specific driver mutations.
Read moreBJH - 2023, issue Special, february 2023
N. Elbert PhD, J. Blokken PhD, PharmD
In 2011, the Belgian health authorities established the Belgian Quality in Transfusion (BeQuinT) committee to improve the quality of transfusion practice and hemovigilance in Belgian Hospitals. Following the international shift from a product-centred to a patient-centred focus, the scope of BeQuinT was enlarged in 2018 by supporting the implementation of Patient Blood Management (PBM) and measuring the results through indicators. During the 38th General Annual Meeting of the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS), anaesthesiologist Sarah Lessire (CHU UCL Namur, Namur) presented an overview of the past and future activities of BeQuinT.
Read moreBJH - 2023, issue Special, february 2023
A. Enguita PhD, T. Feys MBA, MSc
Hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) are a group of disorders characterised by continuously elevated eosinophil count in blood and tissue, associated with eosinophil-mediated organ damage. During the 2023 General Annual Meeting of the Belgian Hematology Society, Prof. Florence Roufosse (Hôpital Erasme, Belgium), walked us through the clinical manifestations of this disease, diagnostic methods and currently available treatments. In this, a special focus was given to the emerging eosinophil-targeted therapies.
Read moreBJH - 2023, issue Special, february 2023
J. Blokken PhD, PharmD, T. Feys MBA, MSc
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, Dr. Peter J.M. Valk (Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) talked about novel techniques for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing in haematological patients. Subsequently, Dr. Barbara Dewaele (University Hospital Leuven, Belgium) shared her experience on optical genome mapping in acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoid leukaemia.
Read moreBJH - 2023, issue Special, february 2023
A. Enguita PhD, T. Feys MBA, MSc
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a disease of the elderly, with more than 75% of cases being diagnosed at 55 years or older. In these patients (>60 years), the disease prognosis is poor compared to younger patients. During the 2023 General Annual Meeting of the Belgian Hematology Society, Dr. Fabio Andreozzi (Jules Bordet Institute, Belgium) discussed the management of these elderly AML patients, with a focus on prognostic assessment, current treatment options and future perspectives.
Read moreBJH - 2023, issue Special, february 2023
J. Blokken PhD, PharmD, T. Feys MBA, MSc
The annual Pierre Stryckmans Memorial Lecture at this years’ BHS-GAM was presented by Prof. Dr. Gérard Socié (Hematology Transplant Hospital St. Louis, Paris, France). Dr. Socié was awarded for his huge contributions in the field of haematology. At the annual BHS GAM meeting, he first presented an overview of recent clinical trials studying the prophylaxis or treatment of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Thereafter, he switched to translational research and shared his knowledge on the search for effective biomarkers for GVHD severity and response to treatment, followed by some data from multi-omics analyses to thoroughly dissect GVHD.
Read moreBJH - 2023, issue Special, february 2023
J. Blokken PhD, PharmD, T. Feys MBA, MSc
The journey a drug makes from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside is very long. After years of clinical research and development, a lengthy administrative procedure needs to be completed. It starts with the granting of a marketing authorisation by the EMA and is followed in Belgium by a reimbursement decision. In order to get a better view on how a drug gets reimbursed in Belgium, Diane Kleinermans (RIZIV-INAMI, President CRM/CTG, Brussels), Marjan Willaert (Policy Advisor – Market Access, Pharma.be, Brussels), and Hanne Wouters (Market Access Advisor, Pharma.be, Brussels) gave an overview on the evaluation and review by the commission for reimbursement of medicines (CRM).
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