EHA pays tribute to Professor Jacques-Louis Binet (1932–2024)
We would like to pause to acknowledge the passing of Professor Jacques-Louis Binet, a pioneer in clinical and biological research and an exceptional personality in hematology, on December 17, 2024.
One of his major achievements giving him international recognition was the description of the prognostic classification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) which bears his name and which still remains clinically relevant despite numerous therapeutic developments in the last 40 years. This recognition allowed him to unite French clinicians within one of the first cooperative groups, and to develop numerous therapeutic protocols which improved the lives of patients, and which have been published in high-ranking international journals.
In 1979, Professor Binet also launched the first workshop on CLL in Paris. Initially seen by him as a meeting forum for a group of friends and colleagues, this initiative became the international workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL), and is now an international, non-profit association.
Professor Binet trained many students and taught them not only hematology, but also respect for the patient, listening, and empathy. His scientific work was characterized by one of his principles: going from the patient to the bench and back to the patient. Professor Binet supported women in their professional career from a very early stage, which was remarkable at this time. He appointed more female academics than men throughout his career, who succeeded him in the laboratory and in the clinic—again, revealing his pioneering quality.
In addition, from his time in New York in the 1960s onwards, he developed another passion that he nurtured in parallel to his love of science: modern art. He served as former president of the Advisory Board of the National Center for Contemporary Art (CNAC). During his long career, he organized numerous exhibitions and published writings on painting.
Professor Jacques-Louis Binet was an extraordinary personality who made an immeasurable contribution to hematology in Europe and beyond.
On behalf of the European Hematology Association,
Professor Antonio Almeida,
EHA President
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