BJH - volume 15, issue 6, october 2024
K. Rack PhD, N. Van Roy PhD, P. Chiarappa PhD, J. Luciani PhD, C. Dressen PhD, S. Horion MSc, J. de Bie MD, PhD, G. Ameye MSc, J. Vanhevel PhD, L. Michaux MD, PhD, S. Beckers PhD, L. Rooms PhD, P. Heimann MD, PhD, T. Sticca PhD, M. Jamar MD, PhD, S. Toffoli PhD, MSc, C. Menten PhD, C. Lété PhD, S. Franke PhD, B. Dewaele PhD
Genomic abnormalities play an increasingly important role in prognostication and classification of haematological malignancies (HM), as evidenced by their continual integration into updated classification and risk assessment models. Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) is a relatively new high-resolution technology that offers novel opportunities to assess chromosome abnormalities, increasing the detection yield of clinically relevant abnormalities and allowing rationalisation of diagnostic pathways by abrogating the need for multiple complementary tests. Furthermore, it could streamline laboratory’s technical pipelines, avoiding the need for multiple disease specific workflows. Given these findings, OGM is currently being implemented into the diagnostic workflow, as a first line test, by numerous laboratories worldwide and is being validated with view to implementation in many more, including Belgium. Here we propose recommendations for implementation of OGM testing in the routine diagnostic workup of HM.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2024;15(6):233–7)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 2, march 2022
K. Rack PhD, L. Michaux MD, PhD
Genetic analysis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has identified multiple genetic markers of prognostic significance that can be used for risk stratification of patients at diagnosis. Of these, mutations of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor gene (FLT3) are one of the most important. FLT3 mutations are found in 30% of AML cases overall. They are present in different AML entities and across the cytogenetic subgroups, the most common being in AML patients with a normal karyotype. They are generally considered poor prognostic indicators although the prognostic impact is influenced by the type of FLT3 mutation as well as the co-existence of other mutations and cytogenetic background. FLT3 encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that can be targeted by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and their introduction into treatment protocols has significantly improved the prognosis of these patients with a prior dismal outcome. Given the poor prognosis, and availability of targeted treatment, FLT3 testing is recommended for all new AML cases at diagnosis with the results available within 72 hours for determination of treatment strategies. This short turnaround time (TAT) is challenging for diagnostic laboratories and affects the method of testing. Herein, we review the current recommendations for FLT3 testing in AML, discuss the different available methods for FLT3 mutation testing, and highlight considerations for AML clinicians when faced with AML patients at diagnosis or at a relapsing stage.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(2):59–64)
Read moreBJH - 2013, issue BHS Abstractbook, january 2013
K. Rack PhD, S. Vidrequin , M. Devos , L. Dargent
BJH - 2013, issue BHS Abstractbook, january 2013
S. Vidrequin , K. Rack PhD, M. Devos , T. Connerotte MD
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