Articles

P2.03 Belgian Stop IMatinib trial

BJH - volume 6, issue Abstract Book BHS, january 2015

P. Mineur MD, C. Doyen MD, N. Straetmans MD, PhD, K. Van Eygen MD, D. Pranger MD, A. Bosly MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD, T. Devos MD, PhD, L. Knoops MD, PhD

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Update on the initial therapy of multiple myeloma

BJH - volume 5, issue 4, december 2014

M-C. Vekemans MD, K. Beel MD, PhD, J. Caers MD, PhD, N. Meuleman MD, PhD, G. Bries MD, PhD, V. Delrieu MD, H. Demuynck MD, B. De Prijck MD, H. De Samblanx MD, A. Deweweire MD, A. Kentos MD, PhD, P. Mineur MD, F. Offner MD, PhD, I. Vande Broek MD, PhD, A. Vande Velde MD, J. Van Droogenbroeck MD, KL. Wu MD, PhD, C. Doyen MD, R. Schots MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD

Summary

With the introduction of immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors, major improvements have been achieved in the treatment and prognosis of multiple myeloma. Different treatment combinations are now in use and innovative therapies are being developed. This rapidly changing therapeutic landscape calls for an update on the Belgian myeloma guidelines, published in 2010.1 Based on an extensive review of the recent literature, the myeloma study group of the Belgian Hematology Society has revised the consensus recommendations on myeloma care, to be used by haematologists as a reference for daily practice. When applicable, comments with regards to the Belgian reimbursement modalities are included. The full text with appendices can be downloaded from the Belgian Hematology Society website (www.bhs.be) and from the Belgium Journal of Hematology website (www.ariez.com).

(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(4):125–36)

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Pomalidomide: a new hope for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

BJH - volume 5, issue 4, december 2014

C. Doyen MD

Summary

Relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients have a particularly poor prognosis and the development of new drugs is urgently needed. Pomalidomide, a third-generation immunomodulatory drug with a pleiotropic activity, was approved in 2013 by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, in association with low dose dexamethasone in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, in patients who received at least two prior therapies, including bortezomib and lenalidomide and demonstrated progression on the last therapy. In the phase III MM-003 study, pomalidomide associated with low dose dexamethasone was superior to high dose dexamethasone in these patients, with a manageable safety and tolerability profile. This paper will review the available data concerning the mechanisms of action, the efficacy in clinical studies and the safety of this very promising new drug.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(4):137–42)

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Treatment of mantle cell lymphomas: recommendations of the Belgian Hematological Society

BJH - volume 5, issue 3, september 2014

E. Mourin MD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD, A. Bosly MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, V. De Wilde MD, PhD, C. Doyen MD, C. Hermans MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, L. Michaux MD, PhD, W. Schroyens MD, PhD, A. Sonet MD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, G. Verhoef MD, PhD, P. Zachée MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD

Summary

Mantle cell lymphoma was recognised in the nineties and is characterised by the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation which results in overexpression of cyclin D1.1 This disease represents approximately 6% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Mantle cell lymphoma generally affects patients over 60 years-old. Most patients have advanced disease (>70 % Ann Arbor stage IV). Several efforts have been made to predict outcome in mantle cell lymphoma. The cell-proliferation marker Ki-67, the Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and minimal residual disease are prognostic tools. For young patients, chemoimmunotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy plus stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice. For the main group of older patients, chemo-immunotherapy followed by maintenance with rituximab is the gold standard. In relapses, temsirolimus is actually registered and new drugs, such as ibrutinib, are currently evaluated with promising preliminary results.2–5

(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(3):89–96)

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P2.18 Responding patients show durable responses to bendamustine in double refractory multiple myeloma patients

BJH - volume 5, issue Abstract Book BHS, january 2014

J. Caers MD, PhD, M-C. Vekemans MD, I. Vande Broek MD, PhD, V. Maertens MD, P.H. Mineur , G. Bries MD, PhD, E. Vandeneste , G. Vanstraelen , K. Beel MD, PhD, F. Leleu , H. Demuynck MD, C. Scheurmans , A. Van De Velde MD, W. Schroyens MD, PhD, K.L. Wu MD, PhD, N. Meuleman MD, PhD, R. Schots MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, C. Doyen MD

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P.14 Bendamustin shows distinct anti-tumoural responses in multiple myeloma patients that relapsed after prior bortezomib and lenalidomide treatment. A study on behalf of the MM BHS subcommittee

BJH - 2013, issue BHS Abstractbook, january 2013

J. Caers MD, PhD, M-C. Vekemans MD, I. Vande Broek MD, PhD, P.H. Mineur , K. Beel MD, PhD, V. Maertens MD, C. Schuermans MD, F. Leleu , G. Vanstraelen , H. Demuynck MD, W. Schroyens MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, G. Bries MD, PhD, A. Van De Velde MD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, C. Doyen MD

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P.59 Protective Isolation in Hematology : Risk Assessment and Environmental Control

BJH - 2013, issue BHS Abstractbook, january 2013

M. Bourgeois , A. Sonet MD, C. Graux MD, PhD, C. Chatelain MD, C. Doyen MD, C. Baiana , C. Crivisqui , Y. Glupczynski , M. André MD, PhD

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