OncoDNA supports BSMO project to advance precision medicine for late stage cancer patients across Belgium

Today, the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology (BSMO) announced a new national pilot to evaluate the use of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in 864 patients with advanced metastatic cancer. The BALLETT (Belgian Approach for Local Laboratory Extensive Tumor Testing) study will recruit patients from 12 participating sites to be offered CGP from one of nine NGS laboratories across Belgium. Data from CGP will be used to determine the best therapeutic options for patients through access to targeted medicines with the aim of improving clinical outcomes in advanced cancer. The study will begin next month.

CGP uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyse hundreds of genes and biomarkers in tissue and blood samples and detect those that are clinically relevant in driving cancer growth. Illumina will provide its CGP panel, TruSight™ Oncology 500 (TSO500), as well as NovaSeq™6000 and NextSeq™ sequencing platforms for the study. Clinical interpretation of the sequencing data will be carried out using OncoDNA Clinical Decision Support Platform OncoKDM®.

“Giving access to CGP and clinical decision support in clinical routine is key to improve patient journey and personalise cancer care. OncoKDM® is designed to guide oncologists through the selection of the most appropriate treatments available for their cancer patients. Supported by a proprietary curated database that is daily updated with the latest therapeutic advances in precision oncology, it turns complex NGS and other biomarker data into clear and personalized clinical decision reports. We are delighted to support BSMO in this landmark project and to offer all participating sites a seamless experience with our OncoKDM® software”, said Jean-Pol Detiffe, OncoDNA’s Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer.

“Belgium is a leader in the application of new technologies to make precision healthcare a reality. Through this new study, we want to ensure that patients across Belgium can receive the right treatment for their particular cancer at the right time,” said Professor Dr Sylvie Rottey, Chair BSMO.

Dr Brigitte Maes of the Jessa Hospital in Belgium, Coordinator of BALLETT study said, “As part of Belgium’s broad approach to advancing precision medicine the study will generate valuable insights into the value of CGP versus currently reimbursed sequencing approaches. For example, in addition to genetic mutations that drive cancer formation, CGP will also identify cancers driven by the TMB biomarker which can guide patients towards immunotherapy treatments. This means that the study will give access to additional treatments which may not have been considered through more traditional diagnostic testing.”

Genomic data together with de-identified clinical data from the study will be used to populate a newly-established national genomic tumour database, collated with oversight from Belgium’s Scientific Institute for Public Health, Sciensano, designed to advance precision medicine and patients’ access to novel effective therapies.