Articles

Boosting anticancer immunity with radiotherapy

BJMO - volume 14, issue 1, january 2020

N. Sundahl MD, PhD, V. Kruse MD, PhD, K. Decaestecker PhD, P. Ost MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Preclinical and early clinical data indicate that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) could work synergistically with checkpoint inhibitors and increase response rates. Given the potential synergistic effect between both treatments, the associated toxicity might also be increased. We conducted two phase I trials combining SBRT with ipilimumab (n=13) or pembrolizumab (n=18) in metastatic/inoperable melanoma and metastatic urothelial carcinoma respectively. To evaluate the effect of SBRT timing, patients were randomised to either sequential or concurrent SBRT in the latter trial. To assess early efficacy, a phase II trial of SBRT and nivolumab was conducted in metastatic/inoperable melanoma (n=20). Our data shows that SBRT combined with ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab is safe and might increase efficacy in a subset of patients.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(1):28–30)

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Algorithms for molecular testing in solid tumours

BJMO - volume 13, issue 7, november 2019

Ir A. Hébrant PhD, M. Lammens MD, PhD, C. Van den Broecke MD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, J. Van den Oord MD, PhD, A. Vanderstichele MD, PhD, A. Dendooven MD, PhD, P. Neven MD, PhD, K. Punie MD, G. Floris MD, PhD, J. Van der Meulen MD, HA. Poirel MD, PhD, C. Dooms MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD, T. Boterberg MD, PhD, L. Brochez MD, PhD, M.C. Burlacu MD, G. Costante MD, D. Creytens MD, PhD, P. De Paepe MD, PhD, R. De Pauwn MD, B. Decallonne MD, PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, H. Denys MD, PhD, L. Ferdinande MD, PhD, R. Forsyth MD, PhD, M. Garmyn MD, PhD, T. Gevaert MD, PhD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, E. Govaerts MD, E. Hauben MD, PhD, J. Kerger MD, O. Kholmanskikh Van Criekingen MD, PhD, V. Kruse MD, PhD, Y. Lalami MD, L. Lapeire MD, PhD, P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, J.P. Machiels MD, PhD, B. Maes MD, PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, M. Remmelink MD, PhD, I. Salmon MD, PhD, R. Sciot MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, K. Van de Vijver MD, PhD, L. Van de Voorde MD, I. Van den Berghe MD, A. Van den Bruel MD, K. Vandecasteele MD, PhD, L. Vanwalleghem MD, K. Vermaelen MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, E. Wauters MD, PhD, B. Weynand MD, PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD

SUMMARY

In order to advise the Federal Government on the reimbursement of molecular tests related to Personalised Medicine in Oncology, the Commission of Personalised Medicine (ComPerMed), represented by Belgian experts, has developed a methodology to classify molecular testing in oncology. The different molecular tests per cancer type are represented in algorithms and are annotated with a test level reflecting their relevance based on current guidelines, drug approvals and clinical data. The molecular tests are documented with recent literature, guidelines and a brief technical description. This methodology was applied on different solid tumours for which molecular testing is a clear clinical need.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(7):286–95)

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BSMO Immunomanager program

BJMO - , issue ,

S. Aspeslagh , V. Kruse MD, PhD, E. De Langhe , P. Jacques , O. Malaise , D. Elewaut , B. Lauwerys , R. Wittoek , Y. Piette , B. Neyns MD, PhD

Immunotherapy has become a standard of care for patients with many different advanced solid tumors. However, boosting the immune system can induce immune related side effects, referred to as “immune-related adverse events” (irAEs). Because oncologists are not always familiar with these inflammatory autoimmune syndromes, the BSMO immunotaskforce has launched the immunomanager website which summarizes the treatment options for the most frequent irAEs including endocrine (e.g. hypo- and hyperthyroidism), digestive (e.g. colitis), pneumological (e.g. pneumonitis), dermatological and other types of irAEs. In the near future, the BSMO immunotaskforce plans to review these recommendations with Belgian organ specialists and their associations. We believe that through collaborations between organ specialists and oncologists we will be able to establish better recommendations, resulting in a better outcome for cancer patients who develop an irAE during immunotherapy.

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Merkel cell carcinoma and immune Checkpoint inhibition: where do we stand now?

BJMO - , issue ,

S. De Keukeleire MSc, V. Kruse MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has been acknowledged as a breakthrough treatment in multiple advanced cancer types. This is also the case in metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), a disease that is historically associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, several randomized trials demonstrated superior results of ICI compared to chemotherapeutic agents in patients with metastatic MCC, with less toxicity, an increased overall survival (OS), and more durable responses. Therefore, ICI is now generally considered as a new standard treatment option in this setting.

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BSMO Immunomanager program

BJMO - volume 12, issue 9, february 2018

S. Aspeslagh , V. Kruse MD, PhD, E. De Langhe , P. Jacques , O. Malaise , D. Elewaut , B. Lauwerys , R. Wittoek , Y. Piette , B. Neyns MD, PhD

Immunotherapy has become a standard of care for patients with many different advanced solid tumors. However, boosting the immune system can induce immune related side effects, referred to as “immune-related adverse events” (irAEs). Because oncologists are not always familiar with these inflammatory autoimmune syndromes, the BSMO immunotaskforce has launched the immunomanager website which summarizes the treatment options for the most frequent irAEs including endocrine (e.g. hypo- and hyperthyroidism), digestive (e.g. colitis), pneumological (e.g. pneumonitis), dermatological and other types of irAEs. In the near future, the BSMO immunotaskforce plans to review these recommendations with Belgian organ specialists and their associations. We believe that through collaborations between organ specialists and oncologists we will be able to establish better recommendations, resulting in a better outcome for cancer patients who develop an irAE during immunotherapy.

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Merkel cell carcinoma and immune Checkpoint inhibition: where do we stand now?

BJMO - volume 12, issue 9, february 2018

S. De Keukeleire MSc, V. Kruse MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has been acknowledged as a breakthrough treatment in multiple advanced cancer types. This is also the case in metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), a disease that is historically associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, several randomized trials demonstrated superior results of ICI compared to chemotherapeutic agents in patients with metastatic MCC, with less toxicity, an increased overall survival (OS), and more durable responses. Therefore, ICI is now generally considered as a new standard treatment option in this setting.

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Highlights in melanoma

BJMO - volume 11, issue 7, november 2017

V. Kruse MD, PhD, L. Brochez MD, PhD, A. Rutten MD

During this year’s ESMO congress a lot of promising new data were presented with regard to melanoma care. We have selected 13 abstracts to discuss here.

(BELG J ONCOL 2017;11(7):334–337)

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