Publications
Genomic Microsatellite Signatures Identify Germline Mismatch Repair Deficiency and Risk of Cancer Onset Vrije Universiteit Brussel
PURPOSE: Diagnosis of Mismatch Repair Deficiency (MMRD) is crucial for tumor management and early detection in patients with the cancer predisposition syndrome constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD). Current diagnostic tools are cumbersome and inconsistent both in childhood cancers and in determining germline MMRD.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We developed and analyzed a functional Low-pass Genomic Instability Characterization ...
The Relationship between a New Biomarker of Vagal Neuroimmunomodulation and Survival in Two Fatal Cancers. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Background. The vagus nerve may slow tumor progression because it inhibits inflammation. This study examined the relationship between a new vagal neuroimmunomodulation (NIM) index and survival in fatal cancers. Method. We retroactively derived markers of vagal nerve activity indexed by heart rate variability (HRV), specifically the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), from patients’ electrocardiograms near diagnosis. The NIM ...
The phenotype of SDHB germline mutation carriers Vrije Universiteit Brussel
OBJECTIVE: Succinate dehydrogenase B subunit (SDHB) gene germline mutations predispose to pheochromocytomas, sympathetic paragangliomas, head and neck paragangliomas and non-paraganglionic tumors (e.g. renal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor and pituitary neoplasia). The aim of this study was to determine phenotypical characteristics of a large Dutch cohort of SDHB germline mutation carriers and assess differences in clinical ...
Series of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, with periorbital involvement Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of periorbital extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type.
METHODS: Case series of three patients with periorbital involvement of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, of whom clinical data, orbital imaging and immunohistochemical analysis were collected. For the purpose of this study, all histopathological and immunohistochemical slides ...
Breast cancer and melanoma cell line identification by FTIR imaging after formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Over the past few decades, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled to microscopy has been recognized as an emerging and potentially powerful tool in cancer research and diagnosis. For this purpose, histological analyses performed by pathologists are mostly carried out on biopsied tissue that undergoes the formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE) procedure. This processing method ensures an optimal and permanent ...
Long-term health-care utilisation in older patients with cancer and the association with the Geriatric 8 screening tool Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Little evidence is available on the long-term health-care utilisation of older patients with cancer and whether this is associated with geriatric screening results. We aimed to evaluate long-term health-care utilisation among older patients after cancer diagnosis and the association with baseline Geriatric 8 (G8) screening results.
METHODS: For this retrospective analysis, we included data from three cohort studies for ...
Incidence of falls and fall-related injuries and their predictive factors in frail older persons with cancer Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven University of Antwerp
BACKGROUND: Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health problem. Data on falls in older persons with cancer is limited and robust data on falls within those with a frailty profile are missing. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and predictive factors for falls and fall-related injuries in frail older persons with cancer.
METHODS: This study is a secondary data analysis from data previously collected in a ...
Nanobodies for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer Vrije Universiteit Brussel Hasselt University University of Antwerp
Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer-related deaths among women. Since ovarian cancer patients are often asymptomatic, most patients are diagnosed only at an advanced stage of disease. This results in a 5-year survival rate below 50%, which is in strong contrast to a survival rate as high as 94% if detected and treated at an early stage. Monitoring serum biomarkers offers new possibilities to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage. In this ...
Pregnancy and Cancer Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cancer diagnosis in young pregnant women challenges oncological decision-making. The International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) aims to build on clinical recommendations based on worldwide collaborative research.
RECENT FINDINGS: A pregnancy may complicate diagnostic and therapeutic oncological options, as the unborn child must be protected from potentially hazardous exposures. Pregnant ...