A. Janssens MD, PhD, D. Selleslag MD, J. Depaus MD, Y. Beguin MD, PhD, C. Lambert MD
SUMMARY
The Belgian Hematology Society (BHS) updated the 2013 guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).1 As knowledge about ITP pathophysiology is increasing, the mode of action of old therapies is better understood and novel drugs are introduced to target more specific pathways. Corticosteroids with or without intravenous immunoglobulins (IgIV) remain the first line treatment. According to the updated international guidelines, a short course of corticosteroids rather than a prolonged treatment has to be recommended. The same guidelines stress that consequent therapies as thrombopoietic agents (TPO-RAs) and rituximab should be available independent of duration of ITP. Although the majority of recommendations is based on very low-quality evidence, it is strongly advised to individualise the ITP management taking patient values and preferences in account. The main treatment goal in all ITP patients must be to maintain a safe platelet count to prevent or stop bleeding with a minimum of toxicity and not to normalise the platelet count.
In developing countries, the high rate of haemophilia-related mortality and morbidity is mainly caused by a lack of knowledge, underdiagnoses and very limited access to treatment. This work carried out in Côte d’Ivoire as a part of the World Federation of Hemophilia twinning program, aimed to evaluate the impact of non-substitutive strategies (not based on concentrates of coagulation factors) on the management of haemophilia. This project sought at developing and validating education materials to improve knowledge on haemophilia, implementing a self-physiotherapy program, and obtaining cross-cultural and validated tools to assess the quality of life of people with haemophilia. These initiatives were the starting point for haemophilia care in Côte d’Ivoire, by providing patients with low-cost measures and creating an environment favourable for the use of substitutive treatment issued from humanitarian aid. This thesis was defended at UCLouvain on September 01, 2020. The full manuscript of this these is available on dial.uclouvain.be.
C. Lambert MD, B. Dubois MD, PhD, D. Dive MD, A. Lysandropoulos MD, D. Selleslag MD, L. Vanopdenbosch MD, V. Van Pesch MD, PhD, B. Van Wijmeersch MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD
SUMMARY
Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®) is a humanised monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis with active disease defined by clinical or imaging features. Alemtuzumab demonstrated superior efficacy over active comparator in both treatment naive patients and those with inadequate response to prior therapy. Alemtuzumab is associated with a consistent and manageable safety and tolerability profile. Treatment with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis increases the risk for autoimmune adverse events including immune thrombocytopenia. Complete blood counts with differential should be obtained prior to initiation of treatment and at monthly intervals thereafter for 48 months after the last infusion. After this period of time, testing should be performed based on clinical findings suggestive of immune thrombocytopenia. If immune thrombocytopenia onset is confirmed, appropriate medical intervention should be promptly initiated, including immediate referral to a specialist. This paper presents the consensus of Belgian multiple sclerosis specialists and haematologists to guide the treating physician with practical recommendations.
