T. Feys MBA, MSc

Highlights on novel cellular therapies

In a first presentation of the BHS-GAM 2022 session dedicated to novel cellular therapies, Dr. Sophie Servais (CHU Liège, Belgium) shared the results of the first Belgian real-world experience of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. Next Prof. Dr. Barbara De Moerloose (University Hospital Ghent, Belgium) shared her personal experience with tisagenlecleucel in the treatment of paediatric and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). In a final presentation, Prof. Dr. Daan Dierickx (University Hospital Leuven, Belgium) discussed the potential of redirecting T-cells against the Epstein–Barr virus, mainly in patients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease.

Bringing care to the patient, anywhere, anytime

During the 37^th general annual meeting of the Belgian Haematology Society, Prof. Koen Kas, (University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium) provided some insights into the future of healthcare. In this future, hospital care will increasingly be substituted for home care in which patients will be monitored and treated 24/7 within the comfort of their home. In this way, healthcare can be brought to the patient anywhere, at any time. The first teleconsultation took place in 1924 (Teleheath 1924) and was seen as a revolutionary way to bring healthcare to the people.¹ Early in 2020, the number of teleconsultations increased enormously as a result of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. However, the use of teleconsultations decreased again in the second half of the year in parallel with an improvement in the pandemic situation. It has now reached a new equilibrium: there are still more teleconsultations than before the COVID-19 pandemic, but less than during its peak (Figure 1).² Nowadays, still 62% of patients feel that teleconsultations should remain an exception. However, with the emergence of new technological developments this perception is rapidly changing.³

Highlights in chronic lymphocytic Leukaemia

SUMMARY

The research landscape in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) anno 2022 puts a strong focus on the optimal treatment choice in the frontline setting. In this setting, targeted therapy options have largely replaced chemoimmunotherapy as standard of care. However, with this evolution comes a new question: which patient is best treated with a continuous treatment option and who benefits most from a time-limited treatment approach? During ASH 2021, results of several studies looking at both treatment strategies have been presented, further fuelling this debate. Despite the impressive improvements in the frontline setting, a large proportion of patients will eventually relapse or develop refractoriness to the available therapies. To address this medical need, researchers continue to develop new treatment modalities. In this light, ASH 2021 featured promising results with the novel BTK-inhibitor pirtobrutinib and provided a reassuring update of the ASCEN trial evaluating acalabrutinib in the relapsed/refractory setting.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(1):11–6)

Highlights in aggressive and indolent Lymphoma

SUMMARY

During the 63^rd annual meeting of ASH, again hundreds of interesting oral abstracts and poster presentations in the field of aggressive and indolent lymphoma were discussed. In this article, we will highlight some of the most promising data in the field of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, classic Hodgkin lymphoma, enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(1):29-36)

Highlights in acute myeloid leukaemia

SUMMARY

Over the past few years, the exploration of the genomic and molecular landscape of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), identification of mutations associated with the pathogenesis and understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to treatment has led to a significant shift in the treatment paradigms for patients with AML, resulting in improved clinical outcomes.¹ Nevertheless, there is a persistent high need to improve survival and quality of life for patients with AML, especially with our aging population. During the Belgian Hematology Society post- ASH 2021 meeting Dr. Spilleboudt, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, gave a comprehensive summary of the highlights in advancements of AML treatment ranging from first line options, treatment in relapsed/refractory (R/R) patients, maintenance, and data on the burden of care in elderly patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(1):48-54)

Congress highlights ISHL12

SUMMARY

The 12^th International Symposium on Hodgkin Lymphoma (ISHL12) took place as a hybrid conference in Cologne, Germany, from October 22 to 24, 2022. During the conference, ISHL12 provided a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in biology, clinical research, diagnostics and treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma. The main focus was on older and frail patients as well as on patients with early stage disease. Several workshops, interactive case discussions and satellite symposia complemented the program.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(8):328–32)

Haematological echoes from ESMO 2022

SUMMARY

While the annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) of course mainly focusses on advances in solid tumours, this year’s edition also featured a session zooming on haematological malignancies. In this session, encouraging results were presented for the combination of lemzoparlimab, a CD47 antibody, with azacytidine, in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. In addition, also the new anti-CD20-MMAE antibody-drug conjugate TRS005 displayed promising activity in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Finally, two interesting studies were presented using novel CAR-T constructs, one CAR-T expressing a PD1 knock-down gene for the treatment of CD19+ B cell malignancies, and a second CAR-T construct targeting BCMA, for the treatment of R/R myeloma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(8):333–6)