J. Blokken PhD, PharmD

BCMA targeting in multiple myeloma

SUMMARY

Over the past decade, significant progress was made in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Nevertheless, research efforts continue in an attempt to develop treatment options with novel mechanisms of action that have higher efficacy, can evade resistance to prior lines of treatment and are well tolerated. As the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is preferentially expressed by mature B-lymphocytes and is overexpressed in MM patients, it provides an interesting therapeutic target in MM. Thus far, three treatment modalities have been developed for BCMA targeting; bispecific antibody constructs, antibody-drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, each with its own advantages and challenges. This review provides an overview of the (preliminary) clinical data that were generated with these different treatment modalities.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(8):387-97)

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(7):339)

Highlights in multiple myeloma

SUMMARY

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains a devastating disease, even in the era of novel agents. As such, the search for new treatment modalities in both the induction and maintenance setting, to manage newly diagnosed MM ever continues. In recent years, the treatment landscape of patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) has also changed dramatically following a long list of positive phase III trials. This overview will give an update of pivotal trials in this setting (IKEMA, OPTIMISMM, CANDOR, BELLINI) as well as discusses some new emerging therapies in the field, including CAR T cell therapy, a B-cell maturation antigen T-cell engager and a novel cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(5):203-8)

Journal Scan

SUMMARY

In this section of the BJH, we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on haematology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjh.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJH issue.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(4):190–3)

The 35^th general annual meeting of the Belgian Hematology Society

SUMMARY

On the 14^th and 15^th of February 2020, the Belgian Hematology Society hosted their 35^th annual meeting in La Hulpe, Brussels. This year’s meeting featured scientific parallel sessions organised by the Belgian Society for Advancement of Cytometry (BSAC), the Belgian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (BSTH), MolecularDiagnostics.be (MD.be) as well as a nurse symposium. In this article, we will highlight the scientific sessions presented during the BHS meeting.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(3):136–41)

Journal Scan

The goal of this new section in the BJH is to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on haematology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjh.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJH issue.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(2):79–81)

Miscellaneous news from ASH 2019

Summary

In addition to the plethora of abstracts in the larger haematological subdomains discussed in this special issue of the BJH, ASH 2019 also featured many interesting presentations that do not fall within one of these categories. In this article we would like to address some of this ‘miscellaneous news’ from ASH 2019. In the field of venous thromboembolism (VTE), bodyweight-adjusted rivaroxaban could provide a new alternative treatment option for paediatric patients. Also with respect to VTE, the Ottawa score failed to demonstrate its predictive value for VTE recurrence in cancer patients. In addition, interesting new data were presented on the prevention of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after an allogeneic transplantation. At this year’s meeting, there was also a session dedicated to disorders in the number or function of platelets in which much attention went to novel drug targets and novel drug combinations for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. Finally, some interesting presentations on sickle cell disease, myelofibrosis-associated anaemia and cold agglutinin disease (CAD) will be discussed in this overview.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(1):35–40)