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.
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.
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 |
|
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, AZMM Fr : Christine Galant UCLouvain |
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10.30 |
Break |
|
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 |
|
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 Fr: Patrick Pauwels UCLouvain, AZMM |
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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 |
|
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 Fr:Nicky D’Haene HUB Erasme - Isabelle Salmon CHIREC – CHU Tivoli |
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10.50 |
Break |
|
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
|
|
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: Karen Deraedt ZOL Fr: Pamela Baldin UCLouvain |
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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 11 November
- 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.