Articles

Current advances in cytogenomics – Implementation of Optical Genome Mapping into diagnostic workflows for haematological neoplasms: A Belgian Cytogenomic Group for Haemato-Oncology (BCG-HO) position statement

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

SUMMARY

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 more

Long-term treatment-free molecular remission in a FIP1L1-PDGFRA positive myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia after Imatinib discontinuation

BJH - volume 11, issue 7, november 2020

D. Papazoglou MD, A. Salaroli MD, P. Heimann MD, PhD, P. Lewalle MD, PhD, D. Bron MD, PhD

SUMMARY

A 47-year-old patient was diagnosed with FIP1L1-PDGFRA-positive myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia (F/P+ MLN-eo) and was successfully treated with Imatinib, achieving a sustained molecular treatment free remission (TFR) persisting three years after discontinuation.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(7):320-4)

Read more

Diagnostic testing in myeloid malignancies by next-generation sequencing: recommendations from the Commission Personalised Medicine

BJH - volume 10, issue 6, october 2019

E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, M. Bakkus PhD, E. Boone PhD, A. Camboni MD, PhD, J-P. Defour PhD, B. Denys MD, H. Devos MD, L. Dewispelaere MD, G. Froyen PhD, A. Hébrant PhD, P. Heimann MD, PhD, P. Hermans MD, PhD, E. Heylen PhD, K. Jacobs PhD, F. Lambert MD, M. Le Mercier Apr, PhD, E. Lierman PhD, H. Louagie MD, PhD, B. Maes MD, PhD, M-B. Maes PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, L. Michaux MD, PhD, F. Nollet PhD, MSc, H.A. Poirel MD, PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, P. Saussoy MD, PhD, T. Tousseyn MD, PhD, M. Van Den Bulcke PhD, P. Vandenberghe MD, PhD, K. Vandepoele PhD, P. Vannuffel PhD, T. Venken PhD, K. Vermeulen PhD

SUMMARY

Molecular diagnostics have an increasing impact on diagnosis, risk stratification and targeted treatment in haemato-oncology. In the framework of a pilot study for the implementation of next-generation sequencing in the Belgian healthcare system, the Commission of Personalised Medicine was founded to give professional and evidence-based advice on the molecular analysis in haemato-oncology. This paper describes its recommendations for NGS analysis in myeloid malignancies. In addition, the minimally required set of genes that must be analysed is defined and algorithms for molecular workflow in myeloid malignancies are proposed.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(6):241–9)

Read more

Cytogenetic and molecular testing in lymphoma patients: Part 2

BJH - volume 9, issue 7, december 2018

H. Antoine-Poirel MD, PhD, P. Heimann MD, PhD

SUMMARY

It is now well demonstrated that cytogenetic and molecular testing are valuable tools for the diagnostic, prognostication and decision of treatment strategy in lymphoproliferative disorders. This study gives an overview of the genetic tests that represent current and future clinical assessment tools in the context of lymphoid malignancies. This review has been divided into two distinct but complementary parts. The already published part 1 addressed the genetic aspects of low grade B-cell lymphomas and very briefly described the different technical methods that can be used in routine practice for the clinical management of lymphoid malignancies. This second part covers aggressive B- and T/NK-cell lymphomas as well as Hodgkin lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(7):266–78)

Read more

Cytogenetic and molecular testing in lymphoma patients

BJH - volume 9, issue 6, november 2018

P. Heimann MD, PhD, H.A. Poirel MD, PhD

SUMMARY

It is now well demonstrated that cytogenetic and molecular testing are valuable tools for the diagnostic, prognostication, and decision of treatment strategy in lymphoproliferative disorders. Here, we will give an overview of the genetic tests that represent current and future clinical assessment tools in the context of lymphoid malignancies. This review has been divided into two distinct but complementary parts. Part I will address the genetic aspects of low grade B-cell lymphomas and will very briefly describe the different technical methods that can be used in routine practice for the clinical management of lymphoid malignancies. Part II will cover aggressive B- and T/NK-cell lymphomas as well as Hodgkin lymphoma and will be published subsequently.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(6):225–36)

Read more

Management of cutaneous T & B cell lymphomas: a comprehensive review

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

M. de Vicq de Cumptich MD, C. Springael MD, PhD, J. Somja MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, P. Heimann MD, PhD, U. Sass MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, D. Bron MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of diseases with indolent or aggressive behaviour, skin-limited or systemic extension, from T or B cell origin. The optimal management requires the multi-disciplinary approach with dermatologists, hemato-oncologists, pathologists and molecular biologists. The objective of this review is to harmonise the work-up and the treatment of these different entities of cutaneous T or B cell lymphoma in Belgium, according to the availability of the drugs and specialised treatment such as extracorporeal photopherisis or total skin electron beam therapy.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):86–100)

Read more

PP03 Amsacrine combined with high dose cytarabine in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (rraml)

BJH - 2018, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2018

A. Salaroli MD, D. Bron MD, PhD, M. Paesmans , B. Cantinieaux , P. Heimann MD, PhD, P. Lewalle MD, PhD, S. Wittnebel MD, PhD

Read more