By Karen Vermis, Pharm. d., PhD, Ghent University Hospital 

For the 11^th time the Belgian hospital pharmacists gathered at the North Sea coast for a 2-day scientific update. The program addressed both clinical and technical aspects in oncology pharmacy.

Hematologist dr. A. Sonat (CHU UCL Namur) gave a comprehensive overview of stem cell transplantation, including the basic principles of immunology, donor selection and graft versus host disease. Colleague L. De Pourcq (UZ Leuven) discussed cancer cachexia, a syndrome of metabolic changes leading to progressive weight loss by fat and muscle catabolism. The importance of adequate nutrition in cancer patients is supported in the Espen guidelines of 2016. Alternatively, a ketogenic diet might turn the cancer cells more sensitive for chemo and radiotherapy.

Pharmacists R. Maquet (CHC Liège) and H. Yaras (Federal Health Care related competences) explained the consequences of the implementation of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), which involves the international harmonization of GMP standards and quality standards in the field of medicinal products. A national survey concerning the feasibility in the Belgian hospital pharmacies was presented and it can be concluded that huge reorganization and cooperation to centralize preparations or novel investments will be required for all hospitals.

Colleagues T. Van Nieuwenhuyse (UZ Leuven) and X. Gérard (CHU Liège) presented the mode of action, side effects, results of clinical trials and indications of the oral (alectinib, palbociclib, ixazomib, venetoclax, trifluridine-tipiracil) and intravenous (atezolizumab, inotuzumab ozogamicin, padeliporfin vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy) molecules recently registered in Belgium.

In her presentation on molecular genetic diagnosis of solid tumors Prof. Ph. I. Vanden Bempt, clinical geneticist in UZ Leuven, emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, especially with the pathologist. The different molecular and cytogenetic techniques are often complementary and need to be used in the right context. Mutations need to be interpreted differently in different tumors.

The interactive workshop prepared by the SIG Clinical Pharmacy dealt with practical issues like administration sequence of chemotherapy, drug interactions, anti-viral prophylaxis, carboplatin dosing in renal insufficiency, side effects of checkpoint inhibitors and was highly appreciated by all participants.

During the short communication session colleagues presented their personal projects on vaccination issues during chemotherapy, reduced patient waiting times with dose banding, counseling of cancer patients, therapeutic adherence of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia to dasatinib or nilotinib, do’s and don’ts when building a clean room and a BOPP game developed by the SIG Oncogame.

Again, after all these years, this format proved to be very successful for the 135 participants. In addition, the interaction at the 27 exhibition booths was well appreciated.

At BOPP Days on 9-10 March, 2018	Prof. Ph. I. Vanden Bempt at BOPP Days