Innovations 2024 in nephrology

Nathalie Demoulin, Mohamed Amine El Kesri, Elliott Van Regemorter, Guillaume Fernandes, Ines Dufour, Valentine Gillion, Laura Labriola, Michel Jadoul, Eric Goffin, Arnaud Devresse, Nada Kanaan Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Nephrology

The year 2024 saw significant advances in the therapeutic management of patients with IgA nephropathy. Strict control of proteinuria is essential to slow down the progression to kidney failure. The first immunomodulatory agent to target the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy is now available in Belgium, and promising new targeted therapies are being investigated. In kidney transplantation, the prophylaxis and treatment of CMV disease have benefited from the advent of new drugs. Since March 2024, maribavir has been reimbursed in Belgium for the treatment of refractory or resistant CMV disease, or in cases of intolerance to treatment due to myelotoxicity or nephrotoxicity.

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Innovations 2024 in internal medicine and infectious diseases

Brieuc Van Nieuwenhuyse1,2, Laurence Bamps1,3, Julien De Greef1,2, Jean Cyr Yombi1,2, Leïla Belkhir1,2 Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Médecine interne et maladies infectieuses

The fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has made great progress since its beginnings but remains a major current medical, scientific, and societal challenge. Adherence to daily medication intake among treated patients is sometimes imperfect. Lenacapavir is a new antiretroviral with a new action mechanism and very long duration of action. Thus, it is a promising new tool in this fight, particularly in pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection.

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Recent advances in forensic medicine at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc: Impact of the FPS Justice funding

Anja Kerschen1,2,3, Etienne Danse4, Jessica Vanhaebost1,2,3, Grégory Schmit1,2,3 Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Médecine forensique

The year 2024 was full of events for the forensic medicine department at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc. Thanks to government funding aimed at creating regional forensic institutes, we were able to strengthen the department’s team. Improvements to the autopsy room and morgue infrastructure are also planned in the next few months. Through this article, we would like to share with you this new chapter for our department and our recent scientific advancements, particularly in the field of forensic imaging.

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Innovations 2024 in hepato-gastroenterology

Bénédicte Delire1, Nicolas Lanthier1, 2, Géraldine Dahlqvist1, Pierre Deprez1, Tom Moreels1, Ivan Borbath1, Laurence Annet3, Yves Horsmans1,2 Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Hépato-gastroentérologie

The year 2024 was once again marked by promising new developments in gastroenterology, whether in endoscopy, hepatology, or oncology. In endoscopy, apposition techniques have revolutionized practice. The therapeutic armamentarium for the management of primary biliary cholangitis continues to expand. The efficacy of two new compounds, elafibranor and seladelpar, was evaluated in two studies. Resmetirom was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metabolic steatohepatitis following positive results from a Phase III study also published this year. The first results of the Réseau Francophone pour l’Etude de l’Hépatotoxicité des Produits de Santé (REFHEPS) were presented in plenary session at the annual congress of the Société Française d’Hépatologie (AFEF) in early October. Finally, in 2024, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) published new recommendations for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

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Hemostasis and thrombosis in 2024: ingenuity and biotechnological achievements

Cédric Hermans Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Hémostase – Thrombose

The innovations in hemostasis and thrombosis discussed in this article, which are demonstrations of remarkable ingenuity and advances in biotechnology, should inspire admiration as well as enthusiasm and hope for our patients. 

Among these advances, the development of a chimeric Factor X capable of bypassing and restoring hemostasis in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) targeting Factor X is noteworthy. A molecule (Inno8) composed of two nanobodies that recognize Factor IXa and Factor X, respectively, bind to albumin in the bloodstream, and are able to cross the digestive barrier is expected to enable oral treatment for hemophilia A patients – an unimaginable ambition until recently. Furthermore, modified B lymphocytes engineered to produce Factor IX and hematopoietic stem cells integrating the Factor VIII gene open exceptional perspectives for gene therapy in these two diseases. Finally, a large French study has highlighted the benefits of prioritizing a reduced dose of DOACs in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism who require prolonged anticoagulation. 

These data and innovations, whether already applicable in clinical practice or requiring further validation, will have a significant impact on the future of a rapidly evolving field.

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What do we learn from the 66th Congress of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) regarding therapeutic advances and prospects in the field of myeloid hematological malignancies?

Marie-Christiane Vekemans Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Hematology/Oncology

The 66th Congress of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) highlighted several therapeutic advances in myeloid malignancies. In lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), luspatercept has emerged as an effective alternative to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, significantly improving transfusion independence. Imetelstat, a recently approved telomerase inhibitor, has demonstrated sustained efficacy in patients refractory to standard treatments. Immunotherapy is advancing with vibecotamab, a bispecific antibody targeting CD123, which has shown promising results in aggressive myeloid neoplasms. The combination of a FLT3 inhibitor, a hypomethylating agent, and venetoclax improves outcomes in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Additionally, menin inhibitors, notably revumenib, offer new therapeutic opportunities for AML with KMT2A rearrangements. Oral formulations, such as ASTX030, facilitate the management of AML and high-risk MDSs. Finally, a novel preclinical model for therapy-related myeloid neoplasms is providing new insights into potential therapeutic targets. These advances mark a significant shift toward more targeted and better tolerated treatments, ultimately improving patient survival and quality of life.

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New developments in Endocrinology in 2024

Stefan M Constantinescu, Raluca M Furnica, Michel P Hermans, Audrey Loumaye, Fabian O Lurquin, Laura Orioli, Vanessa Preumont, Orsalia Alexopoulou Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Endocrinologie et Nutrition

In Endocrinology, the year 2024 has been marked by new international recommendations on the management of iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency in patients treated with glucocorticoids. Clear strategies for biological monitoring have been defined, enabling the optimization of patient follow-up and avoidance of the adrenal insufficiency risk.

Regarding diabetes complications, two major studies have opened new avenues for the prevention of diabetic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy. The FLOW study demonstrated the nephroprotective effect of semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, with a 24% reduction in the risk of major renal events in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease at high risk of progression. Furthermore, the LENS study confirmed the role of fenofibrate in preventing the progression of diabetic retinopathy, reducing the risk of visual deterioration by 27% in diabetic patients with early signs of retinal involvement. 

Additionally, tirzepatide, the first dual agonist of GLP-1 and GIP receptors, is now available in Belgium for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Superior to semaglutide in terms of weight loss and glycemic control, it has demonstrated significant metabolic benefits in the SURPASS and SURMOUNT studies. It also showed promising effects in reducing cardiovascular complications and sleep apnea. 

Finally, teplizumab, an anti-CD3 antibody, represents a major advance in the preventive treatment of type 1 diabetes, which has been confirmed in 2024. By targeting T lymphocytes involved in the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, it significantly delays disease onset in at-risk patients and preserves beta-cell function in newly diagnosed patients.

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New developments and innovations in dermatopathology

Léo-Paul Secco1, Delphine Hoton2 Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Dermatology

At the crossroads of dermatology, oncology, and biology, dermatopathology is an eminently clinical discipline in which new developments and innovations are fundamental to patient care. Three categories are developed to illustrate their benefits in clinical practice: melanocytic tumors, adnexal tumors, and cutaneous hemopathies.

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Total ear reconstruction with porous polyethylene implant

Alexander Gerdom1, Anaïs Grégoire2 Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Chirurgie plastique - ORL

Microtia is a congenital malformation affecting the external ear, with esthetic and psychosocial consequences. Several reconstruction techniques are available, including epithesis, autologous reconstruction with costal cartilage, and alloplastic reconstruction using synthetic implants. The latter enables reconstruction in a single operation, using a porous polyethylene implant and without needing a donor site, and can be performed at a younger age than conventional techniques. The surgical procedure involves placement of the implant, which is covered by a temporal fascia flap and total skin grafts. The results obtained are reproducible and long-lasting, enabling better social integration of microtia patients. Thus, this innovative technique is an effective alternative to traditional methods of auricular reconstruction.

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Innovations 2024 in orthopedic surgery and traumatology

Thomas Schubert$, Tancrede Depoortere$, Alexandre Englebert$, Chiara Rafferty, Robin Evrard, Julie Manon, Julia Vettese, Marie-Paule Soro, Elvis Antibe, Randy Buzisa Mbuku, Hervé Poilvache, Audrey Lentini*, Karim Tribak, Dan Putineanu ...Olivier Cornu Published in the journal : February 2025 Category : Chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologie

The treatment of bone defects and orthopedic infections as well as artificial intelligence (AI) integration into medical practice present innovative but complex challenges. Regarding bone loss, current approaches such as decellularized allografts and adipose-derived stem cells improve biocompatibility and osteogenic potential. However, challenges like vascularization and costs remain unresolved.

Orthopedic infections require early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management. Specific classifications, such as Oxford’s, help personalize treatments. Despite the complexity of severe cases, strategies combining debridement, antibiotics, and bone reconstruction yield promising results. Emerging therapies target biofilms with enzymatic cocktails and localized antibiotics, offering potential clinical applications. 

AI is also transforming orthopedics through neural networks and explainability-focused models. These technologies improve diagnosis and surgical planning, but their adoption requires greater transparency in decision-making processes. Techniques like "poly-CAM" increase clinicians’ trust by providing reliable visual tools for interpreting data. These advances pave the way for predictive and personalized medicine, reshaping clinical practices.

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