Join us for a comprehensive exploration of germline variants in hematology-oncology patients, navigating the complexities of management in the age of whole genome and next-generation sequencing. Our agenda covers the fundamentals of germline vs somatic variants, insights from UK Germline Workshops, laboratory management strategies, real-life case studies, and a Q&A session. Don't miss this opportunity to unravel the challenges and implications in hematology-oncology settings.

The development of new targeted therapies in oncology requiring therapeutic decision forces pathologists to use more innovative techniques such as NGS and digital pathology to obtain increasingly complex information. But what about the future of digital pathology and NGS for cytopathology samples? These types of samples have the advantage of being minimally invasive, producing few or no side effects in the patient. The result of their analysis can be decisive in knowing whether a lesion requires further investigation, and possibly medical or surgical treatment. 
During this sixth event “Precision medicine in oncology” series, we will have two guest speakers Prof. Catarina Eloy and Prof. Jean-Christophe Sabourin, who share their vision of the future of these two innovated methods for cytopathology samples.

Clinical laboratories around the world are adopting next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect cancer genomic variations with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes. However, the various sizes of NGS panels come with distinct advantages and limitations for tumour molecular profiling, and their suitability for clinical use varies. In this webinar, our goal is to examine the pros and cons of Amplicon- vs. Hybrid-capture sequencing, and to investigate how panels of different sizes address crucial aspects of clinical testing. Additionally, we aim to emphasize the challenges and the significance of sample quality, panel interpretation, and best laboratory practices by showcasing real case examples. Lastly, we welcome all participants to engage in an open discussion regarding the current status of large panel reimbursement in their respective countries, and, of course, to pose questions to the presenters.   

Good laboratory practice in the pre-analytical phases of testing is becoming increasingly important regardless of the challenges it presents, and the success of each test depends greatly on this being carried out correctly. The challenge of the pre-analytical phase includes patient identification, collection, handling, and sorting of the sample.

'The challenges of the pre-analytical phase’ Diaceutics event will include a presentation of how this delicate laboratory phase was, how it is, and how it will be managed. A round-table with three international expert speakers will then be held and moderated, finishing with a Q&A for participants.

The implementation of the new CE-In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR) involves challenges faced by labs that are working within the diagnostic environment. The aim of this event is to get an overview of how IVDR implementation is progressing in different countries, and which are the most relevant challenges from a molecular pathology point of view. Five guest speakers from The Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK with experience in the field will share their point of view and discuss the current situation and future perspectives.

Dr. Sven Borchmann from the University of Cologne will guide participants through the revolutionary world of liquid biopsies as applied to B cell lymphoma. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) and its profound implications in oncohematology, particularly aggressive B cell lymphoma. Dr. Borchmann will shed light on the innovative techniques for MRD measurement using circulating tumor DNA and provide a glimpse into the exciting future prospects in this field. 

Prof. Mattia D'Agostino from the University of Turin, focuses on liquid biopsy techniques in the context of multiple myeloma and precision medicine. Prof. D'Agostino will unravel the diverse techniques used in liquid biopsies and their applicability in multiple myeloma. Participants will discover how liquid biopsies are reshaping the landscape of multiple myeloma diagnosis and their critical role in monitoring MRD in this patient population. The session will conclude by looking ahead at the potential of liquid biopsies to revolutionize precision medicine in the context of multiple myeloma, promising a forward-thinking perspective for all attendees.  

Dr Philippe Taniere – Understanding biomarker testing for immunotherapy; PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1) expression, Mismatch Repair (MMR) testing and the importance of Microsatellite Instability (MSI) and Tumor Mutational Burden

Dr Luis Paz-Ares - Overview of available immunotherapy options, the requirement for biomarker testing and how testing impacts immunotherapy prescription compared to other targeted therapies