BJMO - volume 11, issue 8, december 2017
H. Wildiers MD, PhD, F.P. Duhoux MD, PhD, A. Awada MD, PhD, E. de Azambuja MD, PhD
Since the publication from the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology breast cancer task force in 2014 in the Belgian Journal of Medical Oncology, new information has become available on optimal chemotherapy regimens for early breast cancer patients. On February 24th, 2017, 37 medical oncologists involved in breast cancer management reviewed the most important scientific data on this topic. The authors of this paper summarised the findings, and sent a questionnaire to the members asking for their input. This paper summarises the consensus of this exercise.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2017;11(8):375–379)
Read moreBJMO - volume 11, issue 4, september 2017
Tom Feys MBA, MSc, H. Wildiers MD, PhD
This report will discuss a selection of key studies related to breast cancer discussed during the 2017 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. ASCO 2017 featured important new data generated with CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with advanced breast cancer and included several abstracts considering the potential of PD-L1 inhibition for breast cancer. In addition to this, updates of several large phase III studies, including MARIANNE, ALLTO and APHINITY were presented. For a more complete overview of breast cancer news presented at ASCO 2017, we refer to the ASCO annual meeting website (https://meetings.asco.org/am/register-submit-abstracts).
Read moreBJMO - 2017, issue 3, february 2017
A. Coolbrandt PhD, H. Wildiers MD, PhD, Annouschka Laenen , B. Aertgeerts , B. Dierickx De Casterlé , T. Van Achterberg , K. Milisen PhD
BJMO - 2017, issue 3, february 2017
L. Jongen , P. Neven MD, PhD, A. Lintermans , K. Van Asten MSc, C. Blomme , D. Lambrechts PhD, A. Poppe , H. Wildiers MD, PhD, A.S. Dieudonné , J. Decloedt MD, P. Berteloot , D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, M. Joerger , P. Vuylsteke MD, W. Wynendaele MD, PhD, M. Casteels , Sabine Van Huffel , W. Lybaert MD, J. Van Ginderachter , R. Paridaens , I. Vergote MD, PhD, V. Dezentjé , B. Van Calster PhD, H-J. Guchelaar
BJMO - 2017, issue 3, february 2017
L. Decoster MD, PhD, C. Kenis PhD, MSc, J. Flamaing , P.R. Debruyne , I. De Groof , C. Focan MD, PhD, F. Cornélis MD, V. Verschaeve MD, K. Vanoverbeke , Y. Libert , S. Luce , N. Nols , H. van den Bulck , J.C. Goeminne MD, K. Geboers , J.P. Lobelle , M. Lycke , K. Milisen PhD, H. Wildiers MD, PhD, A. Baitar
BJMO - volume 10, issue 8, december 2016
H. Wildiers MD, PhD, Tom Feys MBA, MSc
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(8):308–13)
Read moreBJMO - volume 10, issue 4, july 2016
K. Van Asten MSc, P. Neven MD, PhD, G. Floris MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, C. Sotiriou MD, PhD, H. Wildiers MD, PhD
Gene expression profiles provide strong prognostic information and can predict breast cancer outcome mainly in women with lymph node-negative, oestrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer. They are primarily designed to enable a more precise assessment on whether or not a patient needs adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the optimal use in clinical practice is still not established. The first set of data published from the TAILORx study and the results from the MINDACT study provide strong evidence for the clinical utility of gene expression profiles. Full disclosure of the results of prospective studies such as MINDACT and TAILORx on this topic is awaited in order to define their exact place in clinical decision-making. However, in several countries, these tests are already used in daily clinical practice, and are reimbursed. In addition, the use of gene expression profiles as a potential ancillary tool for treatment decisions is supported in several international treatment guidelines. Multiple studies have shown that there is a change in treatment decision based on gene expression profiles. In addition, different assays may provide different risk stratification at short-, middle- and long-term, so thoughtful use of these tests is recommended. Patients should be well informed about the benefits, risks, costs and uncertainties associated with these tests. Clinicians should also be educated on these matters. Furthermore, as gene expression profiles are expensive and not reimbursed in many countries, these tests are not accessible to all breast cancer patients. Patients’ preferences are important when making risk assessments and treatment decisions in those cases where there is doubt on the benefit of giving adjuvant chemotherapy. Taken together, gene expression profiles provide information that may be complementary to that provided by standard clinicopathological assessment in guiding decision of therapy in the adjuvant setting. These assays represent a step forward towards personalised medicine. We strongly propose to allow reimbursement of gene expression profiles in Belgium, but pragmatic and clear criteria for reimbursement should be developed with all stakeholders to avoid overconsumption.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(4):114–122)
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