T. Feys MBA, MSc

Supportive care task force

The second day of the 2023 annual BSMO meeting kicked off with a session from the supportive care task force. First, Dr. Fontaine (UZ Brussel, Brussels) and Prof. Klastersky (Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels) organised an interactive session on the proposal of a new multidisciplinary oncology consultation for supportive care. Thereafter, Dr. Fontaine presented the results of the Belgian pain survey. Finally, Dr. Gabry Kuijten presented the aim and achievements of the My Cancer Navigator initiative by the Anticancer Fund.

Impact of somatic mutations and cellular plasticity on cancer

Cancer is classically conceived as a genetic disease caused by somatic mutations acquired during life. In the last years, this has fuelled research efforts into the characterization of activating mutations in different tumour types. However, apart from knowing the activating mutation, other factors are also important in the development and optimization of an effective personalised treatment. During the 25th annual Belgian Society of Medical Oncology (BSMO) meeting 2023, Dr. Luc Dirix (GZA hospital, Belgium) discussed the significance of somatic mutations in normal tissues and their effect on cancer, with a special focus on clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). Additionally, Dr. Dirix addressed the topic of cellular plasticity, which plays a fundamental role in cancer development.

Looking towards the future: Innovations and advances in cancer immunotherapy

In recent years, innovative, T-cell based immunotherapeutic strategies have yielded excellent outcomes, with long-lasting results and tumour-specific antitumour activity. During the 25th annual BSMO meeting, Prof. Pierre Coulie (de Duve Institute, Brussels) opened a window on the potential future of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer

Skin cancer session

The skin cancer session of the 25th annual meeting of The Belgian Society for Medical Oncology highlighted recent advances in the treatment of patients with melanoma and other skin cancers. Beginning this session, Prof. Dr. Vibeke Kruse (VITAZ – AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas) discussed adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments for melanoma. Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Oliver Bechter (University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven) outlined recent findings in metastatic melanoma. Prof. Dr. Jean-Francois Baurain (Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels) followed up with a ‘survival guide’ for medical oncologists dealing with non-melanoma skin cancer. Dr. Tess van Meerhaeghe (Hôpital Erasme, Cliniques Universitaires de Bruxelles, Brussels) closed the session with an overview of immune checkpoint inhibitors in kidney transplant recipients.

New oncology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(1):33)

Highlights in gynaecological cancers

The 2022 annual meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) was a grand cru when it comes to ovarian cancer, with the presentation of long-term data of several pivotal studies evaluating firstline maintenance therapy with a PARP inhibitor. Also, in the recurrent ovarian cancer setting, there was some interesting PARP news. In addition to this, ESMO featured the presentation of multiple studies evaluating checkpoint inhibitors in the management of ovarian cancer, endometrium and cervical cancer.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2022;16(8):380–6)

Highlights in breast cancer

The 2022 annual ESMO meeting featured a plethora of interesting presentations in the field of breast cancer (BC). In the hormone-sensitive setting, data were presented on the effect of extending adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy in patients with early-stage disease. In the metastatic setting, interesting updates were presented with CDK4/6 inhibitors, while other abstracts reported the potential of selective oestrogen receptor modulators or degraders. In addition, updated results were presented for the TROPiCS-02 study evaluating the antibody-drug conjugate sacituzumab govitecan in pre-treated patients with HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer. Finally, metronomic treatment with vinorelbine plus cyclophosphamide and capecitabine proved to be another feasible treatment strategy in this setting. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), (neo)adjuvant data with pembrolizumab were presented together with emerging results on the use of the anti-CD73 agent oleclumab in patients with advanced TNBC. We are very grateful to Prof. Hans Wildiers and Dr. Kevin Punie for their help in making the abstract selection for this article.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2022;16(8):387–94)