BJH - volume 16, issue 2, april 2025
B. Heyrman MD, S. Meers MD, S. Sid MD, K. Van Eygen MD, N. De Beule MD, PhD, M. Clauwaert MD, H. Maes MD, A. Salembier MD, J. Lemmens MD, A. Van De Velde MD, PhD, D. Selleslag MD, J. Bouziotis Msc, N. Put MD, A. De Becker MD, PhD
This report on the real life use of luspatercept in Belgium, describes data of 77 patients. In the response analysis, 65.8% showed a response to treatment, including 35.4% that reached transfusion independency for a minimum of eight weeks. In the responding group, the duration of treatment was at least 38 weeks in 75% of patients. Reasons to stop treatment were adverse event (16,3%), death (23,3%), no response (34,9%) and disease progression (25,6%). One patient stopped treatment due to pronounced fatigue although having an erythroid response. These data confirm the efficacy of luspatercept and the need for real-life data on quality of life.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2025;16(2):65–9)
Read moreBJH - volume 15, issue 2, march 2024
O. Mortelé PhD, K. Ver Elst MD, S. Vermeiren MD, A. Meskal PharmD, S. Schouwers PharmD, J. de Bie MD, PhD, J. Lemmens MD, L. Rutsaert MD, C. Schuermans MD, T. Eyckmans MD, S. Weekx PhD
A 71-year-old man with persistent leukopenia and thrombocytopenia was referred to the haematology department with a suspicion of a myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS). Upon presentation, the patient was asymptomatic. Peripheral blood analysis confirmed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, IgG was elevated, while IgM, total protein and the kappa-lambda free light chain (FLC) ratio were within normal ranges. Protein electrophoresis pattern showed a prominent monoclonal peak in the gamma globulin region. The monoclonal peak was identified as IgG heavy chain without corresponding kappa or lambda light chains by immunofixation analysis. Bone marrow cytology did not provide evidence for MDS; however, an increased plasmocytosis of 8% was detected. Immunophenotyping showed the presence of 6.6% CD19+, CD38++, CD138+, CD45+ and CD56- plasma cells without cytoplasmic light chain expression. The latter was confirmed by histologic review of the bone marrow biopsy using immunohistochemical staining. Immunoglobin gene rearrangement analysis was indicative for the presence of a monoclonal B-cell or plasma cell neoplasm. On positron emission tomography (PET)-scan only a mild splenomegaly was seen. Based on all these results, the diagnosis of a gamma heavy chain disease (gHCD) was made. As the patient was asymptomatic, treatment was not indicated. Blood count and health status were unchanged at a check-up six months later. Further follow-up is performed every six months. This case report presents the diagnostic work-up of a patient with gHCD. Laboratory analysis contributing to the diagnosis of gHCD included protein electrophoresis, immunofixation, bone marrow cytology, immunophenotyping, molecular analysis and pathological examinations of a bone biopsy.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(2):49–53)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 4, june 2022
M. Janssens MD, K. Saevels MD, V. Vergote MD, J. Lemmens MD, S. Bailly MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD
Besides disease-directed therapy, patients with lymphoma are in need of a wide range of supportive measures. In the second part of this guideline, the prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome, cardiac support and physiotherapy are discussed.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(4):149–55)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 3, may 2022
M. Janssens MD, K. Saevels MD, V. Vergote MD, J. Lemmens MD, S. Bailly MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD
Besides disease-directed therapy, patients with lymphoma are in need of a wide range of supportive measures. In the first part of this guideline the use of anti-emetic therapy, the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and antibiotic prophylaxis for pneumocystis jirovecii are discussed. In part 2 of this guideline we will discuss cardiac support, prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome and the role of physiotherapy.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(3):116–23)
Read moreBJH - volume 11, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2020
K. Kehoe , S. Weekx PhD, S. Vermeiren MD, K. Ver Elst MD, T. Eyckmans MD, C. Schuermans MD, J. Lemmens MD
BJH - volume 10, issue 2, march 2019
S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, J. Lemmens MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, T. Kerre MD, PhD
High-dose chemotherapy and autologous or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are widely used in the treatment of lymphoproliferative diseases. For chemo-sensitive relapsed lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation are generally accepted as a standard treatment. Emerging data exist for the use of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in other disease stages for mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and some T-cell lymphomas. The use of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in other conditions is more controversial and remains a clinical option for selected patients or experimental within the framework of a clinical trial.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(2):69–79)
Read moreBJH - volume 7, issue Abstract Book BHS, january 2016
M. Criel , F. Declau , C. Schuermans MD, K. Ver Elst MD, S. Vermeiren MD, S. Weekx PhD, J. Lemmens MD
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