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.
MS Disability, Symptoms Are Worse in Non-White Patients, Study Finds
Non-white patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly African American and Hispanic American patients, were found to experience a higher level of overall disability and more severe symptoms, highlighting current disparities in this disease.
The Role of Liquid Biopsy in Determining Prognosis, Treatment in Surgical Oncology
A literature review detailed the multitude of ways that liquid biopsy can be used to aid the treatment of patients with cancer, including aiding in screening, recurrence surveillance, genomic profiling, and therapeutic decision-making.
Samsung Bioepis Releases Positive 5-Year Follow-up Results for Trastuzumab Biosimilar
Samsung 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.
Prognostic Biomarkers Identified for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using Whole Genome Sequencing
Investigators 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.
Study: COVID-19 Barriers Halted, Delayed Research on MS Rehabilitation, Quality of Life
In 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.
Back-to-School Virus Watch: Children Are at Risk for More Than Just COVID-19
Researchers 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.
Study: Serial Liquid Biopsy May Be Useful in Identifying RAS Genetic Mutations in mCRC
Investigators 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.
Saudi Researchers Call for Greater Use of Trastuzumab Biosimilars to Offset Breast Cancer Costs
Switching from Herceptin (reference trastuzumab) to trastuzumab biosimilars could significantly reduce direct medication costs attributed to breast cancer management in Saudi Arabia, researchers concluded.
Study Reveals Poor Prognostic Factors Associated With DLBCL of the Urinary Tract
A 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.
Foundation Medicine, Epic Partner on Access to Genomic Profiling in EHRs
Foundation 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.
Study Finds Individuals Carry Genetic Variants for Actionable Monogenic Disorders
Approximately 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.
Study Confirms Overall Survival in DLBCL Is Comparable Between Rituximab Biosimilars and Rituxan
In 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.
Switching to a Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar May Facilitate Access to Chemotherapy
Switching 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.
Review Outlines Potential Benefits, Challenges of Next-Generation Sequencing for Early-Stage NSCLC
Investigators 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).
Study Finds Potential Biomarkers for Cognitive Decline in MS Over 5-Year Period
Investigators 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.
Single-Leg Heel Test May Be Useful Tool for Differentiating Limb Strength in MS
The 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.
Study Explores Why People Refuse to Hear About Secondary Genetic Findings
Fear 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.
Real-world Evidence Shows Good Acceptance of Rituximab Biosimilar for NHL, CLL
In 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.
ACCC Survey Reveals Biggest Challenges and Concerns Regarding IO Therapies
The 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.
Exacerbation Risk Assessment System Proves Successful for Patients With COPD, Comorbidities
Investigators 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.
Nurse-Led Peer Support Proves Effective at Improving Lung Function, QOL in COPD
Peer 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.
Study Finds That Physical Hallmarks of COPD May Not Be Main Cause of Sleep Disturbances
A 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.