BJMO - volume 16, issue 3, may 2022
L. Crapé MD, K.P. Geboes MD, PhD, V. Casneuf MD, A.G. Verstraete MD, PhD, M. van den Eynde MD, PhD, I. Borbath MD, PhD, Y. Verheezen MD, W. Demey MD, J. Van der Meulen MD, V. Haufroid PhD
Fluoropyrimidines are frequently used as anti-cancer treatment for gastro-intestinal malignancies, breast, head and neck cancer and others. The enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is crucial in the first and rate limiting enzyme step of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) catabolism. Reduced or complete deficiency leads to severe and even fatal toxicity. The Belgian Group of Digestive Oncology (BGDO) has agreed upon a recommendation on screening for DPD deficiency before starting treatment, which was endorsed by the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology (BSMO), the College of Genetics (CG), and the Toxicological Society of Belgium and Luxembourg (BLT). This article focuses on the clinical flows and practical recommendations. Both targeted germline genotype testing and phenotyping are supported. It was suggested to use a stepwise approach, with a phenotype testing upfront because of higher sensitivity and lower societal cost. In patients with uracil levels above 14 ng/ mL, targeted germline genotype screening should follow. Fluoropyrimidines are contra-indicated in patients with complete DPD deficiency and starting dose recommendations have been validated for patients with partial deficiency.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(3):119–24)
Read moreBJMO - volume 15, issue 4, june 2021
Ir A. Hébrant PhD, H. Antoine-Poirel MD, PhD, K.B.M. Claes PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, J. Van der Meulen MD, F. Lambert MD, J. Van Huysse MD, G. Martens MD, PhD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, K. Geboes MD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD, A. Jouret-Mourin MD, PhD, P. Peeters MD, M. van den Eynde MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, P-J. Van Dam MD, P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, X. Sagaert MD, PhD, S. Metsu PhD, A. Demols MD, PhD, J-L. van Laethem MD, PhD
Pancreatobiliary cancers (PBC) group pancreatic and biliary tract cancers and are among the cancers with the lowest survival rate. Emerging data suggest that novel biomarker-specific targeted therapies can be proposed for selected populations with survival benefit. This review summarises the scientific evidence to test for these biomarkers in order to optimise the management of pancreatobiliary cancers, within the context of the Belgian NGS convention.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2021;15(4):170-6)
Read moreBJMO - volume 14, issue 4, june 2020
J. Siplet MD, A. De Cuyper MD, M. van den Eynde MD, PhD
Standard of care for advanced and metastatic gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma relies on palliative systemic therapy that can improve both survival and quality of life of patients. In first-line, platinum – fluoropyrimidine-based doublet (combined with trastuzumab for HER2/neu positive tumours) or triplet chemotherapy regimen (mainly combining a taxane) is now standard option. For fit patients, a secondline with taxane and/or ramucirumab or irinotecan monotherapy, is an option. Latest studies showed interest for new treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1) or trifluridine/tipiracil in some situations.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(4):146–50)
Read moreBJMO - volume 13, issue 1, february 2019
Ir A. Hébrant PhD, Ir , A. Jouret-Mourin MD, PhD, G. Froyen PhD, J. Van der Meulen MD, M. De Man MD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, M. van den Eynde MD, PhD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, E. van Cutsem MD, PhD, H.A. Poirel MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, J-L. van Laethem MD, PhD, K. Geboes MD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, B. Maes MD, PhD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, J. Vanhuysse , P. Peeters MD, L. Vanacker MD, M. Gomez-Galdon , M. Chintinne MD, PhD, A. Hendlisz MD, PhD, G. de Hertogh MD, PhD, X. Sagaert MD, PhD, M. Peeters MD, PhD, P. Vannuffel , P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, J. Vermeij , M. Simoens , T. Van den Mooter MD, N. van Damme PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD
The Belgian Commission of Personalized Medicine 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 in the digestive tumours within a scientific-based framework. 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. For each digestive tumour type, the different molecular tests are represented as decision trees with its test utility, test level and a brief technical test description.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(1):4–10)
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