The program is designed to provide an in-depth teaching of the basic science of molecular pathology and theoretical aspects of molecular analysis techniques on one hand, and a high-level introduction to a limited number of common clinical applications in the field of molecular pathology and immuno-oncology on the other hand.
The primary target audience of this course are pathology residents in the second or third year of training. This provides residents with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge into clinical practice during the last two years of training which are often – at least partially – completed in academic labs offering molecular pathology services.
Organiser: Working group of Molecular Pathology on behalf of the Belgian Society of Pathology.
General structure of the course: The course consists of a two full-day program, mainly consisting of ex cathedra classes, and will cover 4 main areas of interest:
- Basic science in molecular genetics and signaling pathways in cancer.
- Molecular genetics tests in cancer diagnosis.
- Basic science and biomarkers of immuno-oncology.
- Introduction to practical applications.
Evaluation: The basic course in molecular pathology is considered an integral part of the general training in surgical pathology. As such, all residents in pathology are obliged to follow the course at least once during their training and passing an exam is required to meet criteria for professional recognition set by the ‘erkenningscommissie pathologische anatomie’. For residents under the authority of the Flemish chamber of the ‘erkenningscommissie pathologische anatomie’ the exam consists of an oral examination taken by a jury of at least two – preferably three –members of the WG of molecular pathology. Residents will receive a limitative list of questions prior to the exam. Each exam consists of four questions from this list:
- Terminology: briefly explain three terms randomly chosen from a terminology list covered throughout the course.
- Techniques: resident is asked to explain one of the molecular pathology analysis techniques covered during the course.
- A question about immuno-oncology.
- A question about a common clinical application of molecular pathology.
The exam is pass or fail. After passing the exam, the resident will receive a certificate of completion of the course that needs to be submitted with the request for professional recognition at the end of residency.
Course material: all course material will be distributed to attendants in digital format.
- Hand-outs of all classes.
- Virchows Archiv Annual Review Issue 2024 accessible free-of-charge as part of membership with the European Society of Pathology.
Detailed course program:
Parallel sessions in Dutch and French will be available
Friday 15 November
Molecular alterations in cancer
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9.00 |
Basic introduction to molecular biology Covered content: structure of DNA/RNA/proteins, control of cell cycle, control of transcription and translation, epigenetics Nl: Nadine Van Roy Centrum Medische Genetica, UGent Fr: Ricardo De Mendonça ULB |
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9.45 |
Receptors, signaling transduction and molecular alterations in cancer Covered content: working mechanism of receptor tyrosine kinases, main downstream signaling transduction pathways at least RAS-RAF-MAPK and PI3K-AKT, transcription factors, types of genetic alterations in cancer SNVs, CNVs, fusions/rearrangements, … and functional impact oncogene vs suppressor, driver vs passenger Nl: Patrick Pauwels UCLouvain, UZA Fr : Christine Galant UCLouvain |
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10.30 |
Break |
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10.45 |
DNA integrity control and DNA repair mechanisms Covered content: biology of cell cycle control and overview of DNA repair mechanisms Nl: Siska Dedeurwaerdere, AZ Delta Fr :Lola Martin Matinez, IPG |
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11.20 |
DNA repair deficient types of cancer with link to familial cancer syndromes Covered content: MMRd Lynch – sporadic, BRCAness, PARP synthetic lethality, HRD Fr: Lola Martin Matinez, IPG |
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12.10 |
Lunch |
Molecular diagnostic analysis techniques
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13.00 |
Toolbox of the molecular pathologist Covered content: general overview bird’s perspective of the common techniques used in molecular pathology
Nl: Dieter Peeters UZA/AZ Sint-Maarten Fr: Nicky D’Haene HUB Erasme |
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13.20 |
Introduction to PCR and NGS Covered content: working mechanism of PCR, principles of sequencing, types of sequencing platforms, difference between DNA and RNAseq
Nl: Isabelle Vanden Bempt CME, UZ/KULeuven Fr: Anne-France Dekairelle UCL -Claude Van Campenhout ULB |
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14.00 |
Introduction to NGS data analysis Covered content: explanation of data analysis pipeline from raw data to variant calling, classification of variants, compermed pathogenic variant list
Nl: Leon Van Kempen UZA Fr: Anne-France Dekairelle UCL
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14.40 |
Break |
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14.55 |
Organisation of the NGS lab and QA Covered content: tumour annotations and importance TCP estimation, sectioning, unidirectional sample flow, risks for DNA contamination, specific ISO requirements
Nl: Leon Van Kempen UZA Fr: Claude Van Campenhout ULB |
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15.30 |
Molecular techniques beyond targeted sequencing panels Covered content: role of methylation profiles, liquid biopsy, CGP and WES/WGS, GEP
Nl: Jo Van Dorpe UZ Gent
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16:00 |
End |
Saturday 16 November
Tissue section based analysis techniques and introduction to immuno-oncology
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9.30 |
Principle of IHC and FISH Covered content: working mechanisms of IHC and FISH, importance of controls, pre-analytical variables, QA aspects and test validation
Nl: Jacques Van Huysse AZ Sint-Jan Brugge Fr: Sarah De Clercq ULB |
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10.10 |
Digital pathology, image analysis and artificial intelligence Covered content: importance of digital shift in pathology, image analysis and how AI works
Nl: Glenn Broeckx ZAS
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10.50 |
Break |
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11.10 |
General introduction to immuno-oncology Covered content: biology of anti-tumour immune response, immune phenotypes
Vasiliki Siozopoulou UCLouvain |
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11.40 |
Biomarkers for immuno-oncology Covered content: PD-L1, TMB, MSI from IO perspective
Vasiliki Siozopoulou UCLouvain |
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12.10 |
Lunch |
Practical applications
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13.00 |
General introduction to clinical applications Covered content: role and working of compermed, difference with reimbursement, guidelines, theranostics vs diagnostics
Nl: Siska Dedeurwaerdere AZ Delta Fr: Nicky D’Haene HUB Erasme |
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13.30 |
Molecular testing oncologist’s point of view Covered content: working mechanism of main classes of targeted drugs, importance of drug resistance, role of the MOC and molecular tumour board
P. Aftimos |
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14.00 |
Practical topics in molecular pathology: NSCLC Covered content: overview of main molecular alterations and testing algorithm in NSCLC
Nl: Dieter Peeters UZA/AZ Sint-Maarten |
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14.35 |
Break |
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14.50 |
Practical topics in molecular pathology: CRC Covered content: overview of main molecular alterations and testing algorithm in CRC
Nl: Dr. Karen Deraedt ZOL |
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15.25 |
Practical topics in molecular pathology: hemato-oncology Covered content: role of molecular testing lymphoma, role of molecular testing in lymphoproliferative and myelodysplastic disease, use and interpretation of IgH/TcR clonality analysis
Joan Somja CHU Liège |
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16:00 |
End |
Universiteitsplein 1
2610 Wilrijk
Practical information
Registration: mandatory until 1 November
In addition to pathology residents, the course will be open for enrollment for residents in medical oncology, clinical biology and clinical genetics, but no special program will be designed for this audience groups. Enrollment is obviously also open to interested registered pathologist.
- Fellows in Pathology BSP members: 100 €
- Fellows in Pathology non-BSP members : 125 €
- Physicians BSP members: 100 €
- Physicians non BSP members : 125 €
Payment on Belgian Society of Pathology (BSP) account: BE35 7320 2896 2837
communication: Molecular Course / name, first
lunch and refreshments during the breaks are included
The Course is in Dutch and French.