npj Precision Oncology (Mar 2025)
A nationwide comprehensive genomic profiling and molecular tumor board platform for patients with advanced cancer
- Pieter-Jan Volders,
- Philippe Aftimos,
- Franceska Dedeurwaerdere,
- Geert Martens,
- Jean-Luc Canon,
- Gabriela Beniuga,
- Guy Froyen,
- Jacques Van Huysse,
- Rebecca De Pauw,
- Hans Prenen,
- Suzan Lambin,
- Lore Decoster,
- Freya Vaeyens,
- Sylvie Rottey,
- Pieter-Jan Van Dam,
- Lynn Decoster,
- Annemie Rutten,
- Max Schreuer,
- Siebe Loontiens,
- Joni Van der Meulen,
- Jeroen Mebis,
- Kristof Cuppens,
- Sabine Tejpar,
- Isabelle Vanden Bempt,
- Jacques De Grève,
- David Schröder,
- Cédric van Marcke,
- Marc Van Den Bulcke,
- Evandro de Azambuja,
- Kevin Punie,
- Brigitte Maes
Affiliations
- Pieter-Jan Volders
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Jessa Hospital
- Philippe Aftimos
- Clinical Trials Conduct Unit, Institut Jules Bordet—Université Libre de Bruxelles, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles
- Franceska Dedeurwaerdere
- Department of Pathology, AZ Delta Hospital
- Geert Martens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, AZ Delta Hospital
- Jean-Luc Canon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi
- Gabriela Beniuga
- Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique
- Guy Froyen
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Jessa Hospital
- Jacques Van Huysse
- Department of Pathology, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge
- Rebecca De Pauw
- Department of Pulmonology, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge
- Hans Prenen
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital
- Suzan Lambin
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Antwerp
- Lore Decoster
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Brussels
- Freya Vaeyens
- Centre for Medical Genetics, University Hospital Brussels
- Sylvie Rottey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University
- Pieter-Jan Van Dam
- CellCarta
- Lynn Decoster
- Department of Pulmonology, AZ Turnhout
- Annemie Rutten
- Department of Medical Oncology, ZAS hospitals
- Max Schreuer
- Department of Medical Oncology, ASZ Aalst
- Siebe Loontiens
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University
- Joni Van der Meulen
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University
- Jeroen Mebis
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, LCRC, University of Hasselt
- Kristof Cuppens
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, LCRC, University of Hasselt
- Sabine Tejpar
- Digestive Oncology, University Hospitals KU Leuven
- Isabelle Vanden Bempt
- Department of Human Genetics, University Hospitals KU Leuven
- Jacques De Grève
- Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit
- David Schröder
- Department of Medical Oncology, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi
- Cédric van Marcke
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Research, UCLouvain
- Marc Van Den Bulcke
- Sciensano
- Evandro de Azambuja
- Institut Jules Bordet, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles and l’Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Kevin Punie
- Department of Medical Oncology, ZAS hospitals
- Brigitte Maes
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Jessa Hospital
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41698-025-00858-0
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 9,
no. 1
pp. 1 – 9
Abstract
Abstract The Belgian Approach for Local Laboratory Extensive Tumor Testing (BALLETT) study assessed the feasibility of using comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in clinical decision-making for patients with advanced cancers. This multi-center study enrolled 872 patients from 12 Belgian hospitals. CGP was performed on tumor tissues using a standardized CGP panel (523 genes) across nine laboratories with success in 93% of patients and a median turnaround time of 29 days. Actionable genomic markers were identified in 81% of patients, substantially higher than the 21% using nationally reimbursed, small panels. A national molecular tumor board (nMTB) recommended treatments for 69% of patients, with 23% receiving matched therapies. Reasons for non-compliance were highly variable across clinical sites. Overall, BALLETT demonstrates the feasibility of implementing decentralized CGP and its potential to identify actionable targets in most patients with advanced cancers. BALLETT reinforces CGP’s utility and emphasizes the importance of collaboration, standardization, and addressing implementation challenges.
