Hematology
What is our role in the field of hematology?
As a core pillar of Bristol Myers Squibb, hematology is a field in which we have made significant progress. Our goal is to build on our leadership and expertise in developing innovative therapies to treat patients with malignant and benign hematologic diseases.
Our company focuses on multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloid disorders (such as myelodysplastic syndrome, beta-thalassemia, and myeloproliferative neoplasms).
Each year, approximately 7,500 people are diagnosed with blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma. Malignant hematologic diseases (or blood cancers) account for 11% of all new cancer diagnoses in Belgium. However, the latest report from the Belgian Cancer Registry shows sustained improvement in survival rates for patients with blood cancers between 2004 and 2018.1
Our initiatives for patients
Our support goes far beyond our medicines: we organize prevention campaigns, disease awareness campaigns, sponsorship activities, conferences, and events. We also collaborate with renowned specialists within patient associations, as well as with healthcare professionals and hospitals.
Would you like to learn more about hematologic diseases or treatments?
In cooperation with the Belgian Hematology Society, we have developed several informative animated videos that explain hematologic diseases and treatments. Click the links below to watch the videos.
The videos provide information on these diseases, diagnosis, and symptoms. You’ll also find more details on certain treatments, such as allogeneic stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.
The PACE Award
The PACE (Patient Centricity) Award is organized by the Belgian Hematology Society (BHS), a scientific association of more than 500 hematologists, laboratory hematologists, researchers, nurses, and other professionals. Bristol Myers Squibb sponsors this PACE Award. The award is given to multidisciplinary projects that aim to optimize care for patients with hematologic disorders. In 2022, two projects received the award.
The first was presented by Benjamin De Poorter, a physical therapist in hematology on the team of Professor Nathalie Meuleman (head of the hematology department) and Dr. Marie Vercruyssen (hematologist), all at the Bordet Institute.
This project uses a multidisciplinary approach to reduce neuropathic pain resulting from multiple myeloma treatments. Certain treatments can affect the nerves and cause loss of sensation in the skin of the hands and feet, as well as tingling, pins and needles, cold sensations, or even electric shocks. To manage these side effects, the team proposes a multidisciplinary approach to neuropathic pain by combining physical activities, physical therapy sessions, and hypnosis, with support from physical therapists, nurses, and psychologists. The goal is to improve patients’ quality of life by reducing pain and restoring sensation, thereby enabling more effective treatment of multiple myeloma.
The second multidisciplinary project was presented by Sarah Deuss (hospital pharmacist) and Dr. Ann De Becker (head of the hematology clinic) at UZ Brussel. Their project focuses on the “Development of dietary guidelines, inspired by modern food culture, for immunocompromised patients.”
After a stem cell transplant, a low-bacterial diet is prescribed as one of the measures to prevent infections in these patients, whose immune systems are severely weakened. This has a significant impact on dietary variety for patients who often already have an altered or reduced sense of taste and a diminished appetite. Furthermore, in the 21st century, in addition to traditional Belgian cuisine, there are many influences from global cuisines, and UZ Brussel treats patients from many different cultural backgrounds. This project aims to make food more appealing. As a first step, the current guidelines for low-bacterial diets in the various centers will be compiled. Next, a cookbook will be developed featuring recipes adapted from cuisines around the world to help patients and caregivers implement the diet. Throughout this project, there will be close collaboration between doctors and nurses specializing in transplants, the pharmacist specializing in transplants, the dietitian, and - most importantly - the patients themselves.
Our medicines in hematology
Our mission is to discover, develop, and make innovative medicines available to patients with serious diseases.