A. Enguita PhD

Highlights in acute myeloid leukaemia

SUMMARY

The 2023 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) again featured some interesting studies related to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In newly diagnosed patients, the FLT3 inhibitor quizartinib and the combination of ivosidenib and a hypomethylating agent (HMA) yielded promising results in patients harbouring a FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) or IDH1 mutation, respectively. Additionally, the nuclear export inhibitor selinexor, combined with azacitidine and venetoclax (SAV), resulted in encouraging responses in unfit AML patients. In the relapsed/refractory (R/R) setting, the menin inhibitor revumenib and CD33 CART cells emerged as promising regimens for paediatric and adult patients with KMT2A rearranged AML. Finally, vaccination using host-derived leukaemia cells and donor-derived dendritic cells represents a promising strategy to reduce the relapse risk for AML patients following an allogeneic transplant.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(1):22–6)

Haematological highlights from ASCO 2023

SUMMARY

At the ASCO 2023 conference, a dedicated session focused on exploring the most recent advancements in the management of haematological malignancies. CAR therapy brought promising results for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), spanning B-ALL with obe-cel and brexu-cel and introducing CD5 CAR-T cells for T-ALL patients. Notably, combining inotuzumab ozogamicin with blinatumomab or DA-EPOCH chemotherapy achieved significant efficacy in ALL patients. Additionally, an observational study underscored the critical importance of treating adolescents and young adults with ALL at specialised cancer centres. In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the trifunctional NK cell engager SAR44359 displayed promising anti-leukaemic activity. Finally, luspatercept and the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat boosted transfusion independence and haemoglobin levels in myelodysplastic syndrome patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(7):313–9)

Journal scan

SUMMARY

In this section of the Belgian Journal of Hematology (BJH), we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on haematology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjh.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJH issue.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(6):265–9)

Management of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukaemia

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.

New insights into hypereosinophilic syndromes

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.

Presidential symposium EBMT 2022

SUMMARY

During the presidential symposium of the 48^th Annual Meeting of the EBMT (2022), the Van Bekkum Award and seven top clinical abstracts were discussed. These presentations will be covered in this report.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(4):169–73)

Management of myelofibrosis: Novel approaches and recent evolutions

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic malignancy characterised by marrow fibrosis and myeloproliferation caused by a constitutive activation of the Janus-activated kinase (JAK) transcription signalling pathway. This constitutive activation is usually the result of mutations in the driver genes JAK2, myeloproliferative leukaemia virus (MPL) or calreticulin (CALR).¹ The most important clinical manifestation of MF consists of splenomegaly, in addition to hepatomegaly, cytopenia (mainly anaemia), and constitutional symptoms.² MF significantly decreases the life expectancy of patients with a median survival of less than six years.³ During the 37^th general annual meeting of the Belgian Haematology Society, professor Jean-Jacques Kiladjian (Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France) discussed the contemporary management of this disease.