Oncology

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) survey finds 89% of centers continue to report shortages for at least one type of systemic therapy.

Early findings from a new preclinical study indicate that dual blockade of aurora-A kinase and PD-L1 signaling can inhibit tumor growth in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), treatment for which has historically remained limited.

“The screening victory there is going to take some more time to show its benefit at the population level,” notes Jessica K. Paulus, ScD. “Some of these things are just going to be reductions in mortality that we have to wait to observe over time.”

The treatment regimen not only significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with advanced stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma but was also better tolerated compared with a 20-year-old regimen being used.

In part 3 of an interview, MD Anderson’s Ravin Ratan, MD, MEd, discusses neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade for 2 specific types of soft tissue sarcomas.

Investigators from Germany conducted a systematic review of different MRI features in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) that are used to infer tumor histological grade.

Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK)–positive locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors can now be treated with the first FDA-approved treatment option.

Nivolumab/cabozantinib combination therapy showed consistent benefits across various subgroups in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Judge rules Florida's ban on gender-affirming care for minors unconstitutional; first consensus definition for long COVID aims to standardize diagnosis and care; pilot program for clinical trial diversity discontinued due to high cost and lack of impact.

Posters presented at ASCO 2024 found positive responses in the prediction of tumor types and prognostic outcomes in patients with advanced solid tumors and HR+/HER2-negative (HER2–) metastatic breast cancer.

Many US dairy farms have not yet increased bird flu protections for employees despite the outbreak in cows; the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is linked to a drastic reduction in head and neck cancers in adolescent boys and men; the World Health Organization recently accused tobacco companies of actively trying to hook a new generation on nicotine.

While urologists and oncologists agreed on many barriers and facilitators of first-line treatment intensification for metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer, there were also a number of differing beliefs, including whether there is enough clinical support.

The Joint Commission is launching the Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program to standardize staff training and patient care practices at rural health clinics nationwide; the American Cancer Society recently launched the largest-ever study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women; the HHS COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved $732 billion by preventing illness and related costs.

CMS rules hindered the access of rural patients with cancer to medically integrated pharmacies in 2023. The authors discuss the impact on equity in health care, emphasizing the need for regulatory change.

Coverage from the Community Oncology Alliance Community Oncology Conference, held April 4-5, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.