D. Mazure MD

Epidemiology of COVID-19 infections in haematology patients and prognostic factors for outcome: A national, multicentre retrospective study

SUMMARY

In the early weeks of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, little was known about the risk factors of this novel disease in haematology patients. We therefore created a national, multi-center, retrospective study via a national consortium of haematology centres in Belgium to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in haematology patients. By combining these data with data collected through the national public health institute Sciensano and the national Belgian Cancer Registry, we were able to show that haematology patients were at an increased risk of being hospitalised with COVID-19 (1 in 250 haematology patients versus 1 in 2000 in the general population). Furthermore, we found that patients with multiple myeloma and acute leukaemia were overrepresented in these hospitalisations. Mortality at 90 days was 38% during the first wave, compared to 19.3% in the general population. We therefore conclude that haematology patients with COVID-19 are at a significantly higher risk of both hospitalisation and death.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(7):269–76)

A novel treatment option in chronic myeloid leukaemia: Asciminib

SUMMARY

Despite the success of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, there are some patients who fail these drugs because of intolerance or lack of efficacy. Asciminib is a first-in-class STAMP-inhibitor (Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket) and has a different mode of action as the classical tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Clinical trials, most recently the phase III ASCEMBL trial, show clinical activity in heavily pre-treated patients with an acceptable safety profile. Asciminib therefore forms a promising treatment option for those patients failing the currently available drugs.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(6):243–8)

Highlights in chronic myeloid leukaemia and myeloproliferative neoplasm

SUMMARY

As every year, ASH 2021 brought us updates on current practice, new insights and promising future treatments. I have tried to select the most relevant data from the educational sessions and oral and poster abstracts that can influence our current and near-future practice in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN).

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(1):17–24)

Management of polycythemia vera: Recommendations from the BHS MPN subcommittee anno 2021

SUMMARY

Polycythemia vera (PV) is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the BCR-ABL-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and is characterised by clonal proliferation of myeloid cells, which leads primarily to an increased red blood cell mass. Bone marrow morphology remains the cornerstone of diagnosis. Patients can present with thrombosis, microcirculatory symptoms, haemorrhage, splenomegaly, pruritus and other symptoms that reduce their quality of life and they are at risk of transformation to secondary myelofibrosis (MF) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The main goal of therapy in PV is to minimise the thrombotic risk. To achieve this goal PV patients are being treated with low-dose aspirin and phlebotomies to reach a target haematocrit below 45%. In addition, high-risk patients are being treated with cytoreductive agents. Over the last years, new insights in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and prognosis of polycythemia vera were acquired and novel therapeutic options are available. In this paper we give an update on PV and provide diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations, taking into account the Belgian situation.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(6):258-74)

Belgian guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia

SUMMARY

Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) is a rare haematological disease. Hallmark of the diagnosis is chronic monocytosis. Other clinical features include cytopenia, dysplasia with the associated complaints like fatigue or leucocytosis, splenomegaly with constitutional symptoms. Predicting prognosis and choosing the correct treatment can be challenging for the clinician. These guidelines cover the diagnosis and treatment of CMML and provide information on morphology, cytogenetics and molecular testing, clinical features including autoimmune manifestations, prognosis and risk assessment and a treatment algorithm for both the fit and unfit CMML patient.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;12(2):66-76)

P.28 Multiple myeloma with extramedullary anaplastic transformation: a case report

01 A pilot study to assess the feasibility of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation with coinfusion of third-party mesenchymal stromal cells after myeloablative or non-myeloablative conditioning in patients with haematological malignancies