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FIELD OF EXPERTISE
- (Hereditary/Familial) Pancreatic Cancer
- Liquid Biopsies
- Circulating tumor DNA
- Genetic Predisposition
- DNA Sequencing (Massive Parallel Sequencing, Sanger Sequencing)
- Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing
PROJECTS
Background
Pancreatic cancer is set to be the second biggest cancer killer in Europe by 2020. The dismal prognosis is primarily due to its advanced stage at diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is estimated to have a familial inheritance in 5-10% of patients. In the last years it has become clear that germline mutations in a large number of different genes are predispose to familial pancreatic cancer. In current clinical practice, tumor biopsy is the most used method for categorizing pancreatic tumors for clinical decisions. Because of the risks and limitations related to this invasive procedure, a test to detect pancreatic cancer in an early stage is needed. An attractive minimally invasive procedure is now emerging based on the concept of liquid biopsies. In the blood of patients with cancer, circulating cell-free nucleic acids such as DNA, mRNA and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) have been discovered.
Aim
Pancreatic cancer is set to be the second biggest cancer killer in Europe by 2020. The dismal prognosis is primarily due to its advanced stage at diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is estimated to have a familial inheritance in 5-10% of patients. In the last years it has become clear that germline mutations in a large number of different genes are predispose to familial pancreatic cancer. In current clinical practice, tumor biopsy is the most used method for categorizing pancreatic tumors for clinical decisions. Because of the risks and limitations related to this invasive procedure, a test to detect pancreatic cancer in an early stage is needed. An attractive minimally invasive procedure is now emerging based on the concept of liquid biopsies. In the blood of patients with cancer, circulating cell-free nucleic acids such as DNA, mRNA and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) have been discovered.
Aim
- To gain insight in the genetic basis of patients with a presumed genetic predisposition for pancreatic cancer.
- Establishment of a minimally-invasive approach for adequate diagnosis, therapy monitoring and relapse to improve clinical management of patients with pancreatic cancer.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
- Best Storm Session Presentation (Oncopoint 2019, Ghent)
- Second best poster presentation award (BeSHG 2019, Liège)
- Social Media Spotlight of 'Kom Op Tegen Kanker' (Onderzoeker in de kijker 2019, Belgium).
- Best Poster Presentation (Pancreas 2018, Baltimore)
DEGREES
- BeSHG Postgraduate course: Permanent Education Course in Human Genetics (Ghent University)
- Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Ghent University)
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Ghent University)