B. Tombal Archives

Practical guidance for molecular testing in metastatic prostate cancer: A Belgian perspective

BJMO - volume 16, issue 7, november 2022

S. Verbeke MD, PhD, S. Verschuere MD, PhD, M-D. Martín-Martinez MD, B. Lelie MD, L. Libbrecht MD, PhD, M. Baldewijns MD, PhD, S. Rorive MD, PhD, G. Beniuga MD, J. Eben MD, M-A. van Caillie MD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, C. Gabriel MD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, Ir A. Hébrant PhD, H.L. Gijs , K.B.M. Claes PhD, D. De Maeseneer MD, B. Tombal MD, PhD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The recent approval of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harbouring pathogenic variants of BRCA2 or BRCA1 marks the start of molecularly guided precision medicine in prostate cancer. In parallel with this approval comes the need to embed molecular diagnostics in the clinical management of patients with mCRPC. To date, however, there are no established protocols in Belgium for the use of mutation testing in this setting. This article will therefore provide practical guidance for sample preparation and handling, pre-analytic processing, and pathogenic variant analysis in mCRPC. Across the different phases of this process, a multidisciplinary approach involving urologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, molecular biologists, technicians, nurses, and geneticists will be key to safeguard adequate sample selection to perform molecular analyses at the time of metastatic disease. It will also facilitate high-quality molecular testing with a minimal failure rate. Only by optimising this process will physicians be able to adequately select mCRPC patients that are most likely to benefit from PARP inhibition, or other future targeted therapies, allowing to use these agents in the correct patient groups.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(7):343–54)

Appropriateness of treatment options in patients with metastatic castrationresistant prostate cancer with a focus on radium-223: outcomes of a Belgian multidisciplinary Consensus Meeting

BJMO - volume 13, issue 6, october 2019

P. Ost MD, PhD, D. Schrijvers MD, PhD, L. Duck MD, M. Gizzi MD, K. Goffin MD, PhD, S. Joniau MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD, T. Roumeguère MD, PhD, E. Seront MD, PhD, N. Withofs MD, PhD, B. Tombal MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The treatment landscape for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has changed dramatically with the approval of a variety of therapeutic agents including abiraterone acetate, cabazitaxel, docetaxel, enzalutamide and radium-223 dichloride and the introduction of docetaxel and abiraterone acetate in combination with androgen deprivation therapy in newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer. Evidence on the optimal sequence of these therapies is scarce. In practice, the most appropriate treatment (sequence) depends on patient and disease characteristics. This article summarises the recommendations of a multidisciplinary group of Belgian experts in sequencing treatments for patients with mCRPC, with a focus on radium-223 dichloride.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(6): 240–250)

The first Belgian multidisciplinary meeting on urological cancers

BJMO - volume 8, issue 5, december 2014

T. Vermassen PhD, J. M. Kerst MD, PhD, B. Tombal MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD

The Belgian multidisciplinary meeting on urological cancers was initiated as the first national multidisciplinary scientific meeting of medical oncologists (BSMO), urologists (BAU) and radiotherapists (ABRO-BVRO). It was a great opportunity to build bridges between these three important specialisations involved in the treatment of uro-oncology.

The steering committee of the meeting consisted of J. P. Machiels, G. Pelgrims, S. Rottey (BSMO); L. Hoekx, S. Joniau, T. Roumeguere (BAU); O. De Hertogh, G. De Meerleer and Y. Neybuch (ABRO-BVRO). The first meeting, held in Brussels on March 29th, 2014 was a great success with more than 150 attendees of the different specialisations involved.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2014;8(5):224–7)