CONGRESS NEWS

Haematological highlights from ESMO 2023

SUMMARY

Once more, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) dedicated a session to haematological malignancies during its last meeting in October 2023. This session revealed novel immunotherapeutic strategies, such as activating γ9δ2 T cells to treat haematological cancers and using trifunctional natural killer (NK) cell engagers to eliminate CD123+ tumour cells. Additionally, promising results were observed with the combination of toripalimab and radiotherapy in treating extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma. Furthermore, genetic analyses identified genetic alterations with prognostic value for anti-PD-1 therapy in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL). Finally, a large cohort study examined treatment outcomes in primary ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma (POAML) patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(2):62–5)

BSTH 2023 Abstracts

(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(2):66–89)

Highlights from the 20^th iwCLL

SUMMARY

The 20^th edition of the international workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (iwCLL) in Boston showcased significant progress in the management of CLL. In this summary we highlight key findings and emerging insights from the conference.

• Supportive care: infection still represent a significant threat for CLL patients, focusing on prevention remains crucial. Major role for vaccination and immunoglobulins replacement.
• First line treatment: advances in first line CLL treatment have expanded options beyond chemoimmunotherapy. Continuous treatment with covalent BTK inhibitors (cBTKi) as well as fixed-duration treatment such as Obinutuzumab-Venetoclax are effective options for fit and unfit patients.
• Minimal residual disease (MRD): MRD is a strong predictor of prolonged PFS and OS in CLL. However, the relevance of MRD kinetic and its connection to treatment response varies according to the scheme. New techniques considering also the nodal compartment are needed.
• Relapse and emerging therapies: resistance mechanisms and emerging drugs to address double-refractory CLL patients have been explored. New BCL-2 inhibitors, non-covalent BTK inhibitors (ncBTKi) and BTK degraders are the most promising agents. CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies (BiTEs) also show an interesting preliminary activity in this setting.
• Richter transformation (RT): RT is associated to a wide genetic heterogeneity and poor outcome. New treatments and particularly CAR-T and BiTEs seem promising in this setting.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(8):347–50)

Highlights from the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML)

SUMMARY

The 17^th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) was held in Lugano, Switzerland from 13–17^th June, 2023. Once more, the program addressed the state-of-the-art on the biology, pathology and management of lymphoid neoplasms through a broad plethora of general sessions, ‘Focus-on’ and educational sessions. Below, we summarise some of the key sessions in the field of aggressive lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and follicular lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(7):308–12)

Haematological highlights from ASCO 2023

SUMMARY

At the ASCO 2023 conference, a dedicated session focused on exploring the most recent advancements in the management of haematological malignancies. CAR therapy brought promising results for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), spanning B-ALL with obe-cel and brexu-cel and introducing CD5 CAR-T cells for T-ALL patients. Notably, combining inotuzumab ozogamicin with blinatumomab or DA-EPOCH chemotherapy achieved significant efficacy in ALL patients. Additionally, an observational study underscored the critical importance of treating adolescents and young adults with ALL at specialised cancer centres. In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the trifunctional NK cell engager SAR44359 displayed promising anti-leukaemic activity. Finally, luspatercept and the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat boosted transfusion independence and haemoglobin levels in myelodysplastic syndrome patients.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(7):313–9)

Highlights from the 31st Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

SUMMARY

Many interesting and promising topics were presented at the yearly Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH 2023) in Montréal, of which a selected part will be discussed here. These topics are ranging from ‘haemostasis and malignancy’, over ‘immunothrombosis’ and ‘balancing haemostasis in women’.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(6):259–64)

Highlights from the 18^th biannual symposium Acute Leukaemias (ISALXVIII)

SUMMARY

Leading topics at the international symposium Acute Leukaemias (ISALXVIII) in 2023 were: the new classifications for acute leukaemia, interpretation of clonal haematopoiesis (CHIP), advancing insights of venetoclax-azacitidine (VEN-AZA) administration and associated supportive care, the position of new treatment options in fit and unfit patients, the renewed role of maintenance, and first steps in bringing immunotherapy to the acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) population.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(4):186–91)