Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.
Samsung Bioepis Releases Positive 5-Year Follow-up Results for Trastuzumab Biosimilar
September 15th 2021Samsung Bioepis found during a 5-year follow-up study that Ontruzant, the company’s trastuzumab biosimilar, had comparable cardiac safety and long-term efficacy with the reference product Herceptin.
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Prognostic Biomarkers Identified for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using Whole Genome Sequencing
September 11th 2021Investigators identified 5 mutated genes that could serve as biomarkers for disease prognosis and clinical outcomes associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a common cancer with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis.
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Study: COVID-19 Barriers Halted, Delayed Research on MS Rehabilitation, Quality of Life
September 8th 2021In a survey, researchers indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extra barriers, including a lack of accessibility to patients and competing responsibilities, that have resulted in halts or delays to research on multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation and quality of life.
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Back-to-School Virus Watch: Children Are at Risk for More Than Just COVID-19
September 7th 2021Researchers have found that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused potentially millions of children to miss routine vaccines. During a time of back-to-school excitement and reversals of transmission prevention efforts in some states, children may be at risk of facing a slew of non-COVID-19 viral outbreaks.
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Study: Serial Liquid Biopsy May Be Useful in Identifying RAS Genetic Mutations in mCRC
September 3rd 2021Investigators identified serial liquid biopsy as an effective tool for identifying mutational changes of RAS genes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have undergone antiangiogenic therapy.
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Saudi Researchers Call for Greater Use of Trastuzumab Biosimilars to Offset Breast Cancer Costs
September 2nd 2021Switching from Herceptin (reference trastuzumab) to trastuzumab biosimilars could significantly reduce direct medication costs attributed to breast cancer management in Saudi Arabia, researchers concluded.
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Copy Number Signatures Predict Chromothripsis, Prognosis in Newly Diagnosed MM
September 2nd 2021Using whole genome sequencing, copy number signatures were successful in predicting both the presence of chromothripsis and clinical outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).
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Study Reveals Poor Prognostic Factors Associated With DLBCL of the Urinary Tract
August 26th 2021A recent study found that older age, male gender, lack of surgical resection or chemotherapy, and late-stage disease may be poor prognostic factors for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the urinary tract.
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Foundation Medicine, Epic Partner on Access to Genomic Profiling in EHRs
August 26th 2021Foundation Medicine and Epic struck a deal to integrate comprehensive genomic profiling within Epic's electronic health records (EHRs), allowing for providers to order and review genomic profiling tests, leading to more streamlined clinical decision making.
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Study Finds Individuals Carry Genetic Variants for Actionable Monogenic Disorders
August 25th 2021Approximately 1 in 6 healthy individuals who underwent proactive genetic screening had genetic variants linked to increased risk for developing medically actionable disorders, including certain cancers and cardiovascular disorders.
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Study Confirms Overall Survival in DLBCL Is Comparable Between Rituximab Biosimilars and Rituxan
August 24th 2021In comparison with reference rituximab (Rituxan), the use of rituximab biosimilars in combination therapy produced similar 3-year overall survival among patients with large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), investigators concluded.
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Switching to a Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar May Facilitate Access to Chemotherapy
August 19th 2021Switching patients from reference pegfilgrastim to a biosimilar could lead to substantial cost savings, with potential to offset the cost of and allow for greater access to chemotherapy treatment, investigators concluded.
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Review Outlines Potential Benefits, Challenges of Next-Generation Sequencing for Early-Stage NSCLC
August 18th 2021Investigators examined the current bodies of evidence surrounding the emergence of next-generation gene sequencing, and the challenges that come with it, for identifying oncogenic drivers of early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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Study Finds Potential Biomarkers for Cognitive Decline in MS Over 5-Year Period
August 16th 2021Investigators found that biomarkers for neurodegeneration and inflammation could also aid providers in detecting declines in cognition and information processing speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) over a 5-year period.
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Single-Leg Heel Test May Be Useful Tool for Differentiating Limb Strength in MS
August 12th 2021The single-leg heel test was able to differentiate between weaker and stronger limbs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in healthy controls, suggesting that the test could prove useful for identifying impaired muscle performance.
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Study Explores Why People Refuse to Hear About Secondary Genetic Findings
August 11th 2021Fear of negative emotions, lack of interest, and distrust of medical institutions were some of the reasons that participants refused to receive information regarding medically actionable secondary genetic findings, even after they received additional education on what the findings would include.
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Real-world Evidence Shows Good Acceptance of Rituximab Biosimilar for NHL, CLL
August 5th 2021In one of the first studies to examine real-world evidence on rituximab biosimilars in the United States, investigators found that many providers treating patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are regularly prescribing a biosimilar rituximab.
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ACCC Survey Reveals Biggest Challenges and Concerns Regarding IO Therapies
August 4th 2021The Association of Community Cancer Centers’ (ACCC’s) annual survey on immuno-oncology (IO) therapies highlighted major concerns among health care providers regarding financial impacts, education, and access to clinical trial data.
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Exacerbation Risk Assessment System Proves Successful for Patients With COPD, Comorbidities
August 4th 2021Investigators of a 3-year observational study identified independent risk factors for exacerbations related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and successfully developed a novel risk score for COPD exacerbations.
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Nurse-Led Peer Support Proves Effective at Improving Lung Function, QOL in COPD
August 1st 2021Peer support nursing intervention produced significant benefits in lung function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting the importance that nurses can play in improving disease management.
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Study Finds That Physical Hallmarks of COPD May Not Be Main Cause of Sleep Disturbances
July 30th 2021A retrospective analysis found that lung function and weakened gas exchange have a minimal effect on sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting that psychological mechanisms may play a larger role.
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Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Reduced Amputation Risk for Patient With Diabetic Wound
July 27th 2021A patient with a diabetic foot wound who underwent negative pressure wound therapy experienced good healing, reduced amputation risk, and no wound infection, suggesting the treatment method could be effective in other patients with similar wounds.
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