We spoke with Prof. Igor Aurer, Head of the Department of Hematology at the Clinic for Internal Medicine, KBC Zagreb, about the outcomes achieved with the use of the most advanced therapeutic options and the unmet medical needs in malignant hematological diseases
If we compare the treatment of malignant hematological diseases today with that of about twenty years ago, what has changed?
Today, treatment is much more successful, with a significantly greater number of therapeutic options available. About twenty years ago, the treatments for malignant diseases consisted mainly of cytostatics, that is, chemotherapy, and radiation. Today, in addition to these, we have a wide range of drugs that act at different sites and in various ways, including immunotherapy, drugs that target intracellular processes, the ability to manipulate cells in vitro and transplant these manipulated cells into patients, and more. The large number of new therapeutic options now available has significantly improved survival for many patients with malignant hematological diseases. Some entities are still treated in the same way as twenty years ago, but to a much lesser extent. Today, patients live longer, older patients can receive therapy, and we have made substantial progress compared to the last millennium.
