A. Bosly MD, PhD

CAR-T cells: New developments and implications in lymphoma

SUMMARY

Recently, the use of chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells or CAR-T cells has emerged in the therapeutic arsenal of several hematological pathologies, including lymphoma. These CAR-T cells are the product of extensive research on understanding the mechanisms of tumour immunity and are the product of cellular engineering. By combining the specific recognition of an antibody and the activation pathways of a cytotoxic cell, CAR-T cells allow promising clinical results, but they also see the occurrence of side effects that are more specific to these treatments, which it is essential to manage in a multidisciplinary team. Different CAR-T cells are currently available, particularly in diffuse large cell B lymphoma. The trials that have enabled their use differ on many points, including patient selection, the manufacture of the CAR or the pre-therapeutic conditioning. In the future, the use of this expensive therapy could be extended to other lymphomas and new generations of CAR-T cells could emerge.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;12(2):77-84)

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma refractory to R-CHOP

SUMMARY

Rituximab with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) is the standard treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and is able to cure 50–60% of the patients. However, patients resistant to or in early relapse after R-CHOP have a very poor prognosis with a median overall survival of only six months, and very few patients have a long survival. Double-hit lymphoma (rearrangement MYC and BCL2) has a major risk of refractoriness, and more intense chemotherapy than R-CHOP is recommended. Early PET-CT could identify resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Intensification with autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation is recommended in case of a response to salvage regimen. New agents are expected and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is a very promising approach.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(7):249–53)

Highlights in lymphoproliferative disorders from the French Society of Hematology congress (Paris, 15-17 March 2017)

SUMMARY

Some highlights of the 2017 French Society of Hematology meeting are summarised. The T-cell lymphoma most frequent, angioimmunoblastic lymphoma is now recognised as derived from follicular helper T-cells. No major advancement in the treatment of T-cell lymphoma has been obtained. However many new drugs are promising, especially Brentuximab Vedotin for CD30 lymphoma. Two publications were presented as favourites (coup de cœur): phase III in primary CNS lymphoma and long term results of CLL8 trial. Two major publications from the LYSA group were reported: the Lyma trial in MCL demonstrated efficacy of rituximab maintenance and the Remarc trial showed efficacy of lenalidomide after R-CHOP in DLBCL to prolong DFS.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(5):201–2)

Plenary session at ASH 2016

SUMMARY

The plenary session during the 2016 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology featured six presentation covering different aspects of hematology. These abstracts discussed important innovations in the management of sickle cell disease, follicular lymphoma, hemophilia and ALL. In addition to this two abstracts addressed issues related to hematopoiesis.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(1):38–40)

Discontinuation of imatinib in Belgian patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia

Summary

This article describes the Belgian register of chronic myeloid leukaemia patients who have stopped their treatment with imatinib in conditions comparable to the French STIM trial results: 44% remained in major molecular response off therapy; relapses appear rapidly after stopping imatinib and are responsive when the treatment is resumed.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2016;7(5):184–6)

Best of ASH 2015: Plenary Session

Summary

Overview of the ASH 2015 plenary scientific session held on Sunday, December 6^th, 2015.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2016;7(2):90–2)

Highlights of the 13 International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma

17 – 20 June 2015, Lugano, Switzerland
 

summary

A lot of interesting data were presented at the 13^th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in Lugano, Switzerland. The authors summarise below those presentations/abstracts they found relevant for daily practice, either now or in the near future.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2015;6(4): 173–8)