Articles

BHS guidelines on the management of relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Part 2

BJH - volume 14, issue 4, june 2023

U. Douven MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, G. Crochet MD, S. Bailly MD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, F. Offner MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. Vercruyssen MD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, P. Vandenberghe MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD

SUMMARY

Approximately 30–40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS), will relapse or are unable to obtain a complete remission (CR) after frontline treatment. These patients have a poor prognosis and represent a therapeutic challenge. In this article, we reviewed the recent literature to update the practice guidelines of the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS) Lymphoproliferative Disease Committee for the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) DLBCL. In the first part, we will focus on first relapse and the role of CAR T-cell therapy in first and second relapse. In the second part, we will focus on novel treatment options for patients with a second or higher relapse, secondary central nervous system (CNS) relapse and high-grade lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(4):170–7)

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BHS guidelines on the management of relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Part 1

BJH - volume 14, issue 3, may 2023

U. Douven MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, G. Crochet MD, S. Bailly MD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, F. Offner MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. Vercruyssen MD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, P. Vandenberghe MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD

SUMMARY

Approximately 30–40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS), will relapse or are unable to obtain a complete remission (CR) after frontline treatment. These patients have a poor prognosis and represent a therapeutic challenge. In this article, we reviewed the recent literature to update the practice guidelines of the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS) Lymphoproliferative Disease Committee for the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) DLBCL. In the first part, we will focus on first relapse and the role of CAR T-cell therapy in first and second relapse. In the second part, we will focus on novel treatment options for patients with a second or higher relapse, secondary central nervous system (CNS) relapse and high-grade lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(3):114–21)

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Diagnosis and treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphomas: Update recommendations of the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS)

BJH - volume 13, issue 2, march 2022

A. Wolfromm MD, S. Bailly MD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD, K. Saevels MD, H. Antoine-Poirel MD, PhD, T. Tousseyn MD, PhD, V. Van Hende MD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of aggressive diseases associated with poor outcomes. Recent progress in understanding of the biology and pathogenesis based on molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing has led to the introduction of new provisional entities in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system of 2017 and to the emergence of new drugs.1 Previous Belgian guidelines were published in 2013.2 This review will discuss the diagnosis, work-up and treatment of PTCL including these advances as well as the limitation of the availability of drugs according to the Belgian reimbursement rules.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(2):65–80)

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How to treat classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma in older patients: Belgian expert opinion

BJH - volume 12, issue 7, november 2021

S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, V. Van Hende MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD, S. van Hecke MD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, On behalf of the lymphoproliferative disease committee BHS

SUMMARY

Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL) is a rather rare disease with an incidence of 2-3/100,000 per year and typically presents in patients at the age of 20–30. It is however well known that a second peak occurs at the age of 60–65 years.1 Nowadays Hodgkin is a curable disease for most of the younger patients but treatment is more difficult and less successful in the older patient population. In this review, we want to summarise the possibilities for the treatment of cHL patients above 60 years, with a focus on evidence from the rather rarely available clinical trials. We also look at future treatments. In this article we will use the term ‘older patients’ for patients of 60 years and older at diagnosis. We will make a distinction between fit patients older than 60 years and frail or vulnerable patients (so called elderly).

(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(7):296–304)

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A Belgian retrospective analysis of the use of venetoclax monotherapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in routine clinical practice

BJH - volume 12, issue 3, may 2021

A. Janssens MD, PhD, L. Stas MSc, M. Van den Enden MD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a slow-progressing cancer that results in uncontrolled proliferation and accumulation of B-lymphocytes in the blood and bone marrow and is the most common form of leukaemia in the western world. CLL patients harbouring a deletion of chromosome 17 (del17p) or the TP53 mutation, who progress after treatment with immunological, chemotherapeutic as well as targeted agents such as ibrutinib have poor prognosis signifying a population with an unmet medical need. Clinical studies showed that venetoclax, a selective; orally bioavailable Bcl-2 inhibitor, induces CLL cell apoptosis, and offers an alternative therapeutic option for CLL, either as a monotherapy or in combination with rituximab. BRAVe was a multicentre, observational retrospective study, conducted in Belgium. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of venetoclax monotherapy in Belgian patients with CLL, as well as the utilisation of resources in a real life setting. The results show a manageable/favourable safety profile for venetoclax with limited burden for patients and sites, and a good overall response rate in pre-treated CLL patients in the relapsed/refractory setting.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;12(3):106-11)

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BHS guidelines for the treatment of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) anno 2020

BJH - volume 11, issue 2, march 2020

G. Swennen MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, S. Bailly MD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. Maerevoet MD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, K. Saevels MD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has improved dramatically since the introduction of rituximab and about two thirds of patients can be cured with immunochemotherapy. In the last twenty years, it became clear that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a very heterogeneous disease and based on the genetic mutation landscapes numerous efforts have been made to develop novel treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma further. This article provides an update of diagnosis, current treatment guidelines and novel treatment strategies for newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Belgium. It will also focus on treatment of elderly patients and high-grade B-cell lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(2):56–66)

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P.25 Ibrutinib-induced acrocyanosis

BJH - volume 11, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2020

I. Dufour , G. Verstraete , J. Raedemaeker , F. Andreozzi , L. Bamps , S. Chabert , A. Sogorb , S. Bailly MD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, X. Theunssens , F. Tamirou , D. Tennstedt , A. Camboni MD, PhD, M-C. Vekemans MD

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