BRCA1 is a pleiotropic DNA damage repair protein that functions in both checkpoint activation and DNA repair. BRCA1 is a versatile protein that links DNA damage sensing and DNA damage repair effectors. BRCA2 is a mediator of the core mechanism of homologous recombination repair. Their inactivation leads to carcinogenesis.

The European Society of Medical Oncology has published an educational lecture on BRCA testing Across Tumour Types. In this module, the author elaborates the germline testing of BRCA1/2 genes regarding its multiple implications: cancer risk assessment, surveillance/cancer prevention, use of targeted therapy.

The course is CME credited and participants can take a self-test to check themselves versus the learning Objectives

1. To understand the implications of germline BRCA testing in terms of cancer risk assessment
2. To understand the implications of germline BRCA testing from the perspective of early cancer detection and prevention
3. To understand the implications of germline BRCA testing as a predictive biomarker for targeted therapies

This module provides a comprehensive learning material in terms of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins, epidemiology of germline BRCA mutations across different tumour types, clinical predictors and cancer risk assessment of germline BRCA mutations; prevention and surveillance in BRCA mutation carriers and family members, overview of targeted therapies in patients with breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers with BRCA mutations; safety profile of PARP inhibitors, as well as current understanding of BRCA deficiency and immune activation/suppression.

The ESMO course

Rudy Hovelinck
Diagnostics Manager at AstraZeneca

NS ID BE-1676-RD09/2018-LB

Rudy Hovelinck obtained a scientific degree first in biochemistry at Ghent University and later in Molecular Biology at the ULB. Initially exploring the academic world in diverse fields as genetics, protein chemistry and virology, he soon realised that bridging scientific knowledge to the medical world was a more meaningful way of spending his professional life. This journey started in the field of pathology biomarker testing, introducing HER2 IHC and ISH testing for patient therapy selection and continued in the field of molecular oncology. Today at AstraZeneca he works as a diagnostics manager. In this role he is passionately contributing to the successful introduction of novel biomarkers and support current testing strategies for patient selection. In his own time he enjoys travelling with his family exploring the world and spending time close to nature. Specialties: Oncology, Anatomic Pathology, Biomarker Development, Medical Devices.