Roadbook for the implementation of next-generation sequencing in clinical practice in oncology and hemato-oncology in Belgium

• Published in: Archives of public health = Archives belges de santé publique Vol. 76; no. 1; p. 49
• Main Authors: Van Valckenborgh, Els, Hébrant, Aline, Antoniou, Aline, Van Hoof, Wannes, Van Bussel, Johan, Pauwels, Patrick, Salgado, Roberto, Van Doren, Waltruda, Waeytens, Anouk, Van den Bulcke, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 06-09-2018; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Accreditation; Algorithms; Bioinformatics; Cancer; Cancer cells; Cancer patients; Cancer therapies; Cancer treatment; Decision making; Experts; Feasibility studies; Genes; Health aspects; Health care; Health care policy; Medical laboratories; Medical personnel; Medical prognosis; Mutation; Next-generation sequencing; Oncology; Patients; Personalized medicine; Precision medicine; Public health; Quality; Belgium; Health care; Next-generation sequencing; Personalized medicine; Cancer
• ISSN: 0778-7367; 2049-3258; 2049-3258
• DOI: 10.1186/s13690-018-0295-z

In the field of oncology research, next-generation sequencing has contributed significantly to the discovery of DNA mutations associated with diagnosis and prognosis. It also aids in the development of targeted therapies to specific mutations and the rise of personalized medicine. As part of molecular diagnostics in cancer patients, analysis by next-generation sequencing is becoming part of routine clinical practice. The introduction of this complex technology in a healthcare system comes with multiple challenges and requires a clear action plan. Such an action plan, as outlined in this paper, was developed in Belgium and includes steps in ensuring the quality and indications of NGS testing, installing data registration and tackling ethical issues. A final step is to perform a pilot study to control the access, quality, harmonization and expertise in DNA testing. This action plan can serve as a guide for similar initiatives by other countries to facilitate NGS implementation in clinical practice.