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.
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.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Reduced Amputation Risk for Patient With Diabetic Wound
A 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.
Study Links Lung Function, Education, Area of Residence as Predictors of COPD Diagnostic Delay
Investigators detected potential predictors reducing a patients’ ability to receive an early diagnosis for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including poorer lung function, lower education levels, and residing in a rural area.
Pedometer Intervention Has No Effect on Physical Activity After Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD
Adding a pedometer to pulmonary rehabilitation did not improve long-term physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting pedometers are not an effective strategy to boost physical activity, according to a recent study.
Originator Drugs Experience Price Drops When Multiple Biosimilars Are Added to Reimbursement Lists
The price of reference products reduced each time a new biosimilar was added to a drug program’s reimbursement list, supporting the notion that reimbursing biosimilars creates more competition and lowers drug costs, according to a Polish study.