Articles

Multiple myeloma: Practical recommendations for the management of early relapses 2024

BJH - volume 15, issue 4, june 2022

M.C. Vekemans MD, N. Kint MD, PhD, G. Claes MD, C. Doyen MD, V. Galle MD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, H. Maes MD, N. Meuleman MD, PhD, O. Rizzo MD, A. Salembier MD, H. Schots MD, PhD, G. Verstraete MD, M. Delforge MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Despite the increasing availability of more effective treatments for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients that provide longer disease-free periods, almost all patients will experience a relapse. Managing relapse after regimens that have included a proteasome inhibitor (PI), an immunomodulatory drug (IMID), and often an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody can be challenging, but therapeutic options have greatly increased over the past decades. This review covers the current second-line therapeutic options and provides updated information on novel agents for the treatment of early relapses in MM patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(4):158–64)

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Multiple myeloma: Practical recommendations for front-line therapy 2024

BJH - volume 15, issue 3, may 2024

M.C. Vekemans MD, N. Meuleman MD, PhD, N. Kint MD, PhD, G. Claes MD, C. Doyen MD, V. Galle MD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, H. Maes MD, O. Rizzo MD, A. Salembier MD, H. Schots MD, PhD, G. Verstraete MD, M. Delforge MD, PhD

SUMMARY

With the introduction of immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, major improvements have been achieved in the treatment and outcome of multiple myeloma. Different treatment combinations are now in use and quadruplets have been investigated with success. This rapidly changing therapeutic landscape urges for an update on practical guidelines. Based on an extensive review of the recent literature, we propose recommendations on myeloma management, to be used by haematologists as a reference for daily practice.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(3):103–16)

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Guidelines of the Belgian Hematology Society for imaging in multiple myeloma

BJH - volume 12, issue 8, december 2021

N. Meuleman MD, PhD, J. Caers MD, PhD, K. Fostier MD, P. Vlummens MD, S. Pans MD, L. Goethals MD, PhD, J. Alexiou MD, M. Cliquennois MD, C. Doyen MD, A. de Weweire MD, R. Schots MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, M.C. Vekemans MD

SUMMARY

Despite major improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), bone damage remains a major feature of this disease. With the development of new diagnostic tools, conventional skeletal studies have been progressively replaced by novel imaging techniques. Today, imaging plays a crucial role in defining symptomatic multiple myeloma, measurement of the extent of skeletal involvement and assessing therapeutic response including minimal residual disease (MRD). Based on an extensive review of the recent literature, we propose an array of Belgian recommendations for myeloma imaging to be used as a reference by haematologists in their daily practice.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(8):338–43)

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Highlights in frontline therapy of multiple myeloma

BJH - volume 12, issue 1, february 2021

C. Doyen MD

SUMMARY

As participant to the virtual 2020 ASH meeting, we missed the bay of San Diego and the interesting face-to-face discussions with our friends and colleagues but we got some answers that were very useful for our Multiple Myeloma (MM) practice in Belgium. There were highlights on the efficacy of high dose Melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), the MRD negativity as a surrogate marker of progression free survival (PFS) and updates on recent quadruplets-based studies.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(1):8-13)

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POEMS Syndrome

BJH - volume 11, issue 8, december 2020

N. Meuleman MD, PhD, C. Doyen MD, J. Depaus MD

SUMMARY

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare disorder due to an underlying plasma cell clone (PC). The syndrome can affect several organs. The diagnosis is based on the presence of mandatory criteria (polyneuropathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder) and at least one major and one minor criteria. The therapeutic regimen is determined according to the extent of the patient’s sclerotic lesions and the presence of bone marrow involvement.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(8):381-6)

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Practical management of multiple myeloma: Update 2020

BJH - volume 11, issue 8, december 2020

M.C. Vekemans MD, C. Doyen MD, K.L. Wu MD, PhD, A. Kentos MD, PhD, P. Mineur MD, L. Michaux MD, PhD, J. Caers MD, PhD, N. Meuleman MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, On behalf of the BHS Myeloma Subgroup

SUMMARY

With the introduction of immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and anti-CD38 monoclonal anti-bodies, major improvements have been achieved in the treatment and outcome of multiple myeloma (MM). Different treatment combinations are now in use and other therapies are being developed. This rapidly changing therapeutic landscape urges for an update on practical guidelines. Based on an extensive review of the recent literature, we propose recommendations on myeloma management, to be used by haematologists as a reference for daily practice.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(8):357-75)

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Diagnosis and treatment of AL amyloidosis: Belgian guidelines

BJH - volume 11, issue 8, december 2020

N. Meuleman MD, PhD, M. Vercruyssen MD, M. Cliquennois MD, J. Caers MD, PhD, C. Doyen MD, G. Bries MD, PhD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, M.C. Vekemans MD

SUMMARY

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare and serious disease due to the deposition of amyloid fibrils. In the past years, improvements have been made in the diagnosis, treatment and response criteria. Based on an extensive review of the recent literature on AL amyloidosis, we propose practical recommenddations that can be used by Belgian haematologists as a reference for daily practice. Management of other types of amyloidosis will not be covered by this review. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendations are based on previously published methods.1 We recommend participation in clinical trials to gain knowledge in this evolving field.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(8):343-56)

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