E. Van Valckenborgh Archives

The Belgian practice and attitudes towards introducing genomics in clinical oncology

BJMO - volume 15, issue 4, june 2021

M. Van den Bulcke PhD, W. Van hoof PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, Ir A. Hébrant PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, K. Van Assche PhD

SUMMARY

For most people, being in good health represents the most important factor to wellbeing. While environmental elements such as physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment are key for a person’s wellbeing, also the genome of the individual and its interaction with the environment play an important role. In this paper, we will focus on attitudes towards genomics in the field of personalised medicine in oncology. We will document opinions encountered by patients and citizens on sharing health-related information for various purposes (e.g., research, cost-effectiveness, patient support) aiming to maximise the benefits for cancer patients. We will discuss ethical and legal considerations to be taken into account at the Belgian level to provide a secure, transparent framework for the use of genomics in the healthcare system.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2021;15(4):177-85)

Algorithms for molecular testing in solid tumours

BJMO - volume 13, issue 7, november 2019

Ir A. Hébrant PhD, M. Lammens MD, PhD, C. Van den Broecke MD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, J. Van den Oord MD, PhD, A. Vanderstichele MD, PhD, A. Dendooven MD, PhD, P. Neven MD, PhD, K. Punie MD, G. Floris MD, PhD, J. Van der Meulen MD, HA. Poirel MD, PhD, C. Dooms MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD, T. Boterberg MD, PhD, L. Brochez MD, PhD, M.C. Burlacu MD, G. Costante MD, D. Creytens MD, PhD, P. De Paepe MD, PhD, R. De Pauwn MD, B. Decallonne MD, PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, H. Denys MD, PhD, L. Ferdinande MD, PhD, R. Forsyth MD, PhD, M. Garmyn MD, PhD, T. Gevaert MD, PhD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, E. Govaerts MD, E. Hauben MD, PhD, J. Kerger MD, O. Kholmanskikh Van Criekingen MD, PhD, V. Kruse MD, PhD, Y. Lalami MD, L. Lapeire MD, PhD, P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, J.P. Machiels MD, PhD, B. Maes MD, PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, M. Remmelink MD, PhD, I. Salmon MD, PhD, R. Sciot MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, K. Van de Vijver MD, PhD, L. Van de Voorde MD, I. Van den Berghe MD, A. Van den Bruel MD, K. Vandecasteele MD, PhD, L. Vanwalleghem MD, K. Vermaelen MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, E. Wauters MD, PhD, B. Weynand MD, PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD

SUMMARY

In order to advise the Federal Government on the reimbursement of molecular tests related to Personalised Medicine in Oncology, the Commission of Personalised Medicine (ComPerMed), represented by Belgian experts, has developed a methodology to classify molecular testing in oncology. The different molecular tests per cancer type are represented in algorithms and are annotated with a test level reflecting their relevance based on current guidelines, drug approvals and clinical data. The molecular tests are documented with recent literature, guidelines and a brief technical description. This methodology was applied on different solid tumours for which molecular testing is a clear clinical need.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(7):286–95)

Molecular test algorithms for breast tumours

BJMO - volume 13, issue 2, march 2019

Ir A. Hébrant PhD, K. Punie MD, F.P. Duhoux MD, PhD, C. Colpaert MD, PhD, G. Floris MD, PhD, K. Lambein MD, PhD, P. Neven MD, PhD, M. Berlière MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, M. Chintinne MD, PhD, K. Dahan MD, PhD, S. Dedeurwaerdere MD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, A. de Leener MD, PhD, H. Denys MD, PhD, R. de Putter MD, L. Desmyter PhD, M. Baldewijns MD, PhD, D. Feret MD, C. Fontaine MD, C. Galant MD, P. Hilbert PhD, J. Janssens MD, PhD, D. Larsimont MD, PhD, P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, T. Sticca PhD, M-D. Tkint de Roodenbeke MD, G. Van Den Eynden MD, PhD, I. Vanden Bempt MD, PhD, C. Van den Broecke MD, I. Vandernoot MD, C. Sotiriou MD, PhD, J. van Dorpe MD, PhD, H.A. Poirel MD, PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD, P. Aftimos MD

SUMMARY

In order to advise the Federal Government on all matters related to personalised medicine in oncology, including the reimbursement of molecular tests, the Commission of Personalized Medicine (ComPerMed) has applied, for the breast tumours, the same methodology as previously applied for the digestive tumours. Meaning, the different molecular tests, represented in the shape of algorithms, are annotated with test levels — which aim to reflect their relevance based on current available data and to define the reimbursement — and are documented with recent literature, guidelines and a brief technical description.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(2):40–45)

Opportunities and challenges in oncology and molecular testing: the Belgian strategy

BJMO - volume 12, issue 2, march 2018

Ir A. Hébrant PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, G. Froyen PhD, F. Hulstaert MD, D. Roberfroid MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, A. Jouret-Mourin MD, PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD, A. Waeytens PhD

Summary

Molecular diagnostics in cancer aiming at improving diagnosis, prognosis and treatment are constantly exposed to new opportunities and challenges. The Belgian Commission of Personalised Medicine (ComPer-Med) has been created to advise the Federal Government on all matters related to personalised medicine in oncology, including the reimbursement of molecular tests. Here, we propose the Belgian strategy for molecular testing within a scientific based framework and its implementation in the Belgian healthcare system. For each tested biomarker a clinical test level is attached, which is key to establish the relevance of the test and to define the reimbursement.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2018;12(2):46–50)