Articles

CAR-T cells: new developments and implications in multiple myeloma

BJH - volume 12, issue 3, may 2021

Y. Serroukh MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Despite significant progress in management of multiple myeloma (MM), prognosis of patients who fail standard treatment options is dismal. Therefore, refractory MM remains an unmet medical need. CAR-T cells are a form of cellular immunotherapy redirecting autologous T cells against tumour antigens after in vitro manufacturing. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is the most promising target antigen for the development of CAR-T cell therapy for MM. In this review, we briefly go through the basics of CAR-T cell therapy applied to MM. We present the results on efficacy and safety of two recently developed CAR-T cell products: idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel or bb2121) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel or JNJ-4528) and put them in perspective with what is published for approved CD19-CAR-T cells.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;12(3):128-31)

 

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Highlights of the European Bone Marrow Transplant (EBMT) 2020 annual meeting

BJH - volume 11, issue 7, november 2020

Y. Serroukh MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The present report summarises some of the data shared during the last European Bone Marrow Transplant (EBMT) meeting that was held virtually from the 29th of August to the 1st of September 2020. It is certainly not exhaustive but reflects the author’s selection of relevant data for clinical practice as well as future developments in the field. Cellular therapy against multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were extensively covered in other recent congresses and were not included in this report.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(7):335-8)

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Management of severe aplastic anaemia

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

Y. Serroukh MD, PhD, H. Claerhout MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, T. Tousseyn MD, PhD, N. Boeckx MD, PhD, J. Maertens MD, PhD, T. Devos MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Aplastic anaemia is a rare condition characterised by pancytopenia and bone marrow hypocellularity and caused by the immune-mediated destruction of the haematopoietic precursors. The early complications are related to cytopaenias with infections being the major cause of morbi-mortality. The main long-term issue is clonal evolution to myelodysplastic syndrome or acute leukaemia. The diagnosis relies on exclusion of other causes of pancytopenia and characteristic pathologic findings. Severity is stratified according to peripheral blood counts. Nowadays, the survival of treated patients reaches 80–90%. The treatment of the severe form of aplastic anaemia consists on haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in eligible patients and immunosuppressive therapy in non-transplant candidates. Supportive therapy is an option in frail and/or elderly patients. Here, we define and briefly review the pathogenesis of aplastic anaemia. We propose a diagnostic and therapeutic strategy based on existing literature and experts’ recommendations. We finally report three cases illustrating particular clinical associations with pregnancy, hepatitis and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):76–85)

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