C. Hermans, C. Lambert, L. Knoops, M.-C. Vekemans, X. Poire, V. Havelange, L. Michaux, E. Van Den NestePublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Hematology/Oncology
In keeping with previous years, 2015 was rich in developments and innovations in the field of blood diseases. As regards blood coagulation, the development of an antidote to Pradaxa® represents a major advance. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrated that FXI could be a target of choice for new anticoagulants and that bridging with lowmolecular- weight heparin is no longer required in all patients with atrial fibrillation on vitamin K antagonist therapy prior to invasive procedures. Innovations in hemophilia are dominated by the development of new FVIII and FIX concentrates with prolonged half-lives, in addition to the validation of a bispecific antibody mimicking the function of FVIII within the coagulation cascade. With respect to hematological malignancies, several new therapies are expected to revolutionize the treatment of leukemia and lymphomas in the near future, including potent specific inhibitors and immunotherapies, especially chimeric receptor-expressing T cells. The molecular basis of myelodysplastic syndromes are now better understood. Plenty of new molecules have been developed for the treatment of multiple myeloma, in addition to new staging strategies displaying major therapeutic implications.
J.-Fr. Baurain, F. Cornélis, F. Duhoux, Y. Humblet, F. Mazzeo, M. van den Eynde, J.-P. MachielsPublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Oncologie
Cancer management has become multidisciplinary, and major advances have been achieved in medical oncology field over the last years. The year 2015 was marked by a change in the treatment strategies for metastatic prostate cancer, with docetaxel-based chemotherapy being now initiated concurrently with castration. This allows for a 10-month increase in median overall survival in these patients, thereby representing a major breakthrough. Last year, a new kind of targeted agent, olaparib, was also granted reimbursement for the treatment of platinumsensitive ovarian cancer. This inhibitor of PARP, a major protein involved in DNA repair, was shown to significantly increase recurrence-free survival in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer patients. BRCA is a key protein involved in the second DNA repair mechanism. Lastly, the most impressive oncological advance achieved last year pertained to the introduction in daily practice of the anti-PD1 or PDL1 antibodies. Several studies, conducted mostly in melanoma patients, have shown this immunotherapy to be highly effective, with possible cancer cure for some patients. Administering these antibodies is, however, associated with very specific toxicity features, namely autoimmune toxicity that may be severe or even fatal if not recognized and treated early. All these treatments are available at the King Albert II Cancer Institute.
Numerous papers of clinical and therapeutic interest were published in 2015 in the field of diabetology. This article sought to review key messages emerging from these studies, which contribute to an improved management of diabetic subjects. We focused on the “finality” of international guidelines (ADA, EASD) relating to Type 2 diabetes. Therapeutic innovations with DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors are also discussed, along with cognitive disorders in older diabetic patients. Finally, the association between pediatric Type 1 diabetes and psychiatric disorders is addressed.
Spondyloarthritis (Spa) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by skeletal involvement (axial, an peripheral or both), at times associated with extra-articular manifestations (skin, gut, or eye). This heterogenic rheumatic disease may cause structural and functional impairments, in addition to a decrease in patients' quality of life. A better understanding of the disease's pathophysiology has led to new encouraging therapeutics strategies for managing this disease.
T. Pieters, P. Collard, C. Dahlqvist, J.P. d’Odemont, A. Froidure, S. Gohy, G. Liistro, E. Marchand, G.B. Mwenge, C. Pilette, G. Reychler, O. VandenplasPublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Pneumology
In the field of pneumology, the year 2015 was once again rich in new developments, of which we provide a non-exhaustive list in this article. They concern pathophysiological mechanisms especially in sleep apnea, in addition to diagnostic and curative features. The diagnostic advances include the new reference values for spirometry, the contribution of cryobiopsy to the diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung diseases, the assessment of bronchiectasis in adults, etc. Regarding treatments, we have chosen to focus on the advances in drug and non-drug management of asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and bronchial cancer.
L. Meric de Bellefon, M.S. Stoenoiu, Ch. Galant, A. Avramovska, S. Nieuwland Husson, A. Nzeusseu Toukap, B. Lauwerys, F.A. Houssiau, P. DurezPublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Rheumatology
Over the last years, the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been largely improved owing to the introduction of biologicals. These agents have been developed based on a better understanding of the disease pathophysiology. In the next years, the histopathological and molecular features of the synovial tissue will likely help clinicians better define RA treatment strategies.
Your money or your life? - Kalydeco®: a milestone towards the “cure” of cystic fibrosis From February 1st 2016 on, Ivacaftor (KALYDECO™) will be reimbursed in Belgium for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 6 years and older carrying at least one of nine well characterized gating (Class III) cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations, which account for approximately 3% of Belgian CF patients. In most of these patients, this very expensive oral drug (248,000 €/year) substantially improves lung function, lowers sweat chloride levels, and improves body weight by targeting the primary defect, thus representing a fundamental shift in the way the disease is managed. However, clinicians should be aware of the drug's potential for numerous drug interactions.
R. Bachmann, D. Léonard, N. Abbes Orabi, Ch. Remue, A. KartheuserPublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Chirurgie colorectale
The year 2015 has been marked by the initiation of robotic-assisted colorectal surgery at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc. Robotic surgery is a new surgical technology, which attempts to overcome the technical limitations of laparoscopic surgery. Contrary to the rectilinear and rigid instruments used in classical laparoscopy, the robot’s arms and instruments allow for intuitive movements that perfectly mimic those of the surgeon’s wrist and hand. Along with the 3D magnified vision of the operating field and filtering of physiological tremor, these features in addition to others are key to the precision and safety of minimally invasive surgery.
M. Baeck, A. Herman, V. Dekeuleneer, A.-C. Deswysen, P.-D. Ghislain, B. Leroy, L. de Montjoye, I. TrommePublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Dermatology
2015 was an important year in dermatology, especially in the therapeutic area. New treatments are available for chronic urticaria, psoriasis and angiofibromas of the face in the tubrous sclerosis complex context. In dermato-oncology, treatments of advanced cases of basal cell carcinomas and metastatic melanomas have significally improved. Finally, methylisothiazolinone remains a major allergen, responsible for contact allergy epidemic and for which it is urgent to establish a limitation of its use at European level.
N. Irda, D. Putineanu, K. Tribak, X. Libouton, O. Barbier, M. Van Cauter, J.-E. Dubuc, E. Thienpont, J.-C. Yombi, Th. Schubert, L. Kaminski, M. Mousny, P.-L. Docquier, X. Banse, Ch. Delloye, O. CornuPublished in the journal : February 2016Category : Chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologie
Orthopedic surgery has been driven by technological advances for several years, thereby facilitating joint replacements while helping restore joint function and patient autonomy. New prostheses regularly emerge. They provide solutions to the problems posed by current joint replacements and render new joint replacements foreseeable, as is the case for the ankle and wrist.