T. Feys MBA, MSc

The new mechanism of autoimmunity is a HIT

Starting off the second day of the annual meeting of the BSTH, Andreas Greinacher (Greifswald, Germany) presented on the mechanism behind heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). A mechanism that is part of an evolutionary old defence mechanism against prokaryotic pathogens. However, when misdirected this pathway displays an until recently unknown mechanism of autoimmunity.

Micro-organisms and coagulation

The coagulation system is rarely left alone. Microorganisms, both harmless and harmful, can affect the function of the system, which can have clinical consequences of variable severity. The second State of the art session, entitled “microorganisms as an environmental factor”, chaired by prof. Simon De Meyer and dr. Muriel Sprynger featured several presentations on the interactions between these small lifeforms and thrombosis and haemostasis.

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(6):245)

Highlights of the WFH 2018 World Congress

SUMMARY

From the 20^th till the 24^th of May 2018, Glasgow formed the background for the annual meeting of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), the largest international meeting for the bleeding disorders community. The therapeutic options for people with haemophilia (PWH) have rapidly evolved in the last five years. Moving on from conventional plasma-derived and recombinant clotting concentrates (CFC), there are now extended half-life CFCs as well as several novel haemostasis agents (e.g. emicizumab). In addition, gene transfer proved to be successful for both haemophilia A and B patients. It has been demonstrated that all these products provide better haemostasis and convenience than conventional CFCs. This summary will focus on new data presented with some of these novel therapeutic options during WFH 2018. For a complete overview of abstracts presented during the meeting we would like to refer to the official congress website (https://www.wfh.org/congress/en/home).

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;9(5):199–201)

New haematology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(5):202)

Highlights in multiple myeloma

SUMMARY

In recent years, the treatment landscape of patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) changed dramatically following a long list of positive phase III studies evaluating novel treatment combinations. During EHA 2018 several new positive studies were added to this list, further broadening the treatment armamentarium for RRMM. Following the successes in the RR setting, several of these novel agents are now also being explored in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients. At EHA 2018, updated results were presented with the daratumumab-VMP combination in older NDMM patients. In addition, the role of VRD consolidation in NDMM was assessed and overall survival (OS) data of the GIMEMA-MMY-3006 study were presented. The key messages of these and other studies will be discussed in this summary.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(4):141–5)

Highlights in aggressive lymphoma

SUMMARY

EHA 2018 featured several eagerly awaited presentations on Hodgkin lymphoma. This included subgroup data of the ECHELON-1 trial in patients with high-risk features and data of a PET-based treatment de-escalation study. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the RELEVANCE study assessed the chemotherapy-free lenalidomide-rituximab combination as 1^st line treatment for follicular lymphoma. In diffuse-large-B-cell lymphoma, updates were presented of the key studies evaluating CAR T-cell therapy and polatuzumab vedotin was found to improve the survival in relapsed/refractory patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(4):152–6)