CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Ethics & economy: Are cancer drugs too expensive?

During the BHS annual meeting, Lieven Annemans (senior professor of health economics at the Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University) posed the rhetorical question: “Are cancer drugs too expensive?” He offered a nuanced perspective by reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of various pricing models, ongoing challenges, and future opportunities.

Highlights in aggressive lymphoma

SUMMARY

During ASH 2024, the role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) was questioned in the TRIANGLE and ECOG-ACRIN EA4151 trials. In addition, the ENRICH trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of a chemotherapy-free regimen for older patients with untreated MCL. Regarding diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), extended follow-up data of the POLARIX trial were presented, comparing R-CHOP (rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) to pola-R-CHP (polatuzumab vedotin with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone) as first-line treatment. Also, the addition of the bispecific antibody glofitamab to R-CHOP or pola-R-CHP was evaluated in the COALITION trial, including younger patients with high-risk DLBCL. Finally, interim results of the DALY II trial were presented, assessing the feasibility, safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T)-cell therapy with zamtocabtagene autoleucel (zamto-cel) for relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2025;16(1):41–6)

Highlights in lymphoma

SUMMARY

This report provides a summary of the most interesting presentations in the field of lymphoma at EHA 2024, including the use of glofitamab in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), real-world data on the use of CAR-T cells in R/R DLBCL and several bispecific antibodies that could offer an important off-the-shelf treatment option for patients with heavily pre-treated relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(5):193–6)

Highlights in multiple myeloma

SUMMARY

During the last European Hematology Association (EHA) congress in Madrid, there were several presentations on the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed multiple myeloma. These included results from phase III trials, which will again change our treatment guidelines in the near future.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(5):190–2)

Highlights in myeloproliferative neoplasms

SUMMARY

The annual EHA meeting again featured several interesting oral abstracts and poster presentations in the field of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Below the highlights in Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), Philadelphia negative MPN, polycythemia vera (PV) and myelofibrosis are summarised.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(5):197–200)

Highlights in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

SUMMARY

The EHA 2024 congress was not only the opportunity to present updates on CAR-T cell therapy in the field of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), but was also the occasion to present clinical updates on the use of blinatumomab in first-line treatment and important clinical studies for patients with Philadelphia-positive ALL. Below, we will discuss some of the key take-home messages from these sessions.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(5):201–4)

Highlights in myeloid malignancies

SUMMARY

Myeloid malignancies encompass a group of haematopoietic disorders including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myeloproliferative neoplasms, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). At EHA 2024, the most recent updates in the area of myeloid malignancies were presented.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(5):205–10)