J. Blokken PhD, PharmD

Highlights in breast cancer

Summary

During the 2020 Virtual ASCO meeting, no less than 226 presentations were dedicated to breast cancer. It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss all these abstracts, but instead we try to focus on the data that are most relevant for your daily clinical practice.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(5):191-200)

The 22^nd annual BSMO meeting 2020

SUMMARY

On the 14^th and 15^th of February 2020, the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology (BSMO) organised the 22^nd annual BSMO meeting in Ghent. At this meeting, medical oncologists, oncologists in training and other specialists involved in the management of cancer patients again had the opportunity to gather as a community, exchange ideas and engage in cooperation.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(4):171–7)

Journal Scan

SUMMARY

In this section of the BJMO, we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on oncology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjmo.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJMO issue.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(4):159–64)

Masterclass On Site Neuroendocrine Tumours 2020

SUMMARY

On January 30-31^st, 2020 the Masterclass on neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) took place in Antwerp, Belgium. This meeting was organised by NETwerk Antwerpen-Waasland (ENETS Centre of Excellence) with support from IPSEN. A broad plethora of presentations on molecular aspects, lung NETs, digestive NETs and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), immunotherapy, Merkel cell carcinoma and patient-centred care were presented. This report will highlight the key messages of the symposium.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(4):165–70)

Journal Scan

SUMMARY

In this section of the BJMO, we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on oncology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjmo.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJMO issue.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(3):109–13)

Biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibition

Summary

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective in restoring the T-cell mediated immune response and can achieve a deep and durable response in a small subset of cancer patients. As only 15% to 25% of the patients with advanced NSCLC will benefit from immunotherapy, a predictive biomarker is required to select patients who will potentially respond. To date, the most intensively studied potential biomarkers consist of the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, the tumour mutational burden (TMB) and the tumour micro-environment (TME), each with its own advantages and challenges. This article will briefly describe each of these biomarkers and will touch upon the relationship between certain genetic modifiers and a response to immunotherapy.

Journal Scan

SUMMARY

The goal of this new section in the BJMO is to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on oncology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please let us know (editor@bjmo.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJMO issue.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(2):80–3)