T. Vermassen PhD

Glycosylation of urinary prostate proteins and its potential diagnostic applications

SUMMARY

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the 2^nd most frequently diagnosed cancer in males worldwide and the most frequently diagnosed in Europe. Serum prostate specific antigen (sPSA) is the most commonly used biochemical test in PCa diagnosis. However, as a diagnostic parameter sPSA is associated with considerable analytical problems. As N-glycosylation patterns of sPSA show diagnostic potential, we determined if N-glycosylation of urinary prostate proteins is usable in the diagnosis of PCa. Significant differences were observed between the urinary N-glycosylation of healthy volunteers, patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and PCa. The urinary glycosylation marker improved the diagnosis of PCa by adding them to the current models, especially in the diagnostic grey zone of sPSA concentrations between 4 and 10 μg/L. Furthermore, a link was noticed between urinary N-glycosylation and extracellular vesicles in urine. Urinary N-glycosylation could therefore be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers in PCa, although further validation of the biomarker is warranted.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2017;11(3):126–128)

P.07 The role of CD70 in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and effect on survival

Highlights in genitourinary cancers

Summary

The central theme of ESMO 2016 was ‘From disease treatment to patient care’, and the congress aimed at further integrating clinical research with patient needs. This report will highlight 9 key studies concerning renal cell carcinoma and metastatic prostate cancer, some of which were presented during one of the presidential sessions of the meeting.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(8):295–300)

Therapeutic approaches in clear cell and non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Summary

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 2.4% of all malignancies worldwide diagnosed with 338,000 estimated new cases globally in 2012. In the last decade, the therapeutic landscape for renal cell carcinoma patients has changed tremendously. In this review, we will summarise the treatment options currently available for clear-cell localised, advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma; as stated in the ESMO clinical practice guidelines, the EAU guidelines and the NCCN guidelines. Furthermore we will discuss the recommended therapies in patients diagnosed with non-clear cell tumours.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(7):256–262)

3^rd Belgian Multidisciplinary Meeting on Urological Cancers

Summary

Due to the success of last year, a third national Belgian Multidisciplinary scientific meeting on Urological Cancers was held with the cooperation of medical oncologists (BSMO), urologists (BAU) and radiation oncologists (ABRO/BVRO). It was a great opportunity to build bridges between these three important specialisms involved in the treatment of urological cancers.
The steering committee of the meeting consisted of J.P. Machiels, G. Pelgrims, S. Rottey (members of BSMO), L. Hoekx, S. Joniau, T. Roumeguere (members of BAU), O. De Hertogh, G. De Meerleer and Y. Neybuch (members of ABRO-BVRO). The third meeting, held in La Hulpe, Brussels on March 5^th, 2016 was a great success with more than 100 attendees of the different specialisms involved.
In this report of the meeting you can find a summary of the most important lectures given at the symposium.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(6):232–235)

Highlights in genitourinary cancers

Summary

From June 3^rd till June 8^th, Chicago was host for the 52^nd ASCO annual meeting. The theme for this year’s venue was ‘Collective Wisdom: The Future of Patient-Centred Care and Research’. With almost 35,000 registered attendees from over 100 countries worldwide and about 6,000 submitted abstracts, this year’s meeting was a great success. This report will highlight 10 key studies concerning genitourinary cancers presented during the meeting.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016; 10(5): 162–169)

Highlights in genitourinary cancers

From the 25^th till the 29^th of September, Vienna was host for the 18^th ECCO – 40th ESMO European Cancer Congress. Immunotherapy was a very important theme for this year’s venue which hosted 18.500 registered attendees. This report will highlight 4 key studies concerning renal cell carcinoma and metastatic prostate cancer presented during the presidential sessions of the meeting.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9:244–49)