Oncology

Onartuzumab (MetMab)did not improve PFS when combined with erlotinib (Tarceva) in the METLung trial.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology's algorithm to help oncologists evaluate the clinical benefits, side effects and costs of a cancer drug or therapy will be fine-tuned over the summer and should be available for public comment by the fall, said Dr. Lowell Schnipper, chair of the society's Value in Cancer Care Task Force.

A physician-scientist who developed a personalized immunotherapy for leukemia using patients' own T cells is the recipient of the 2014 Taubman Prize for Excellence in Translational Medical Science, awarded by the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Despite promising results, experts believe it's too early to use ipilimumab for early-stage melanoma, high toxicity being one of the limiting factors.

Lilly's CYRAMZA (ramucirumab) significantly improved overall survival in phase 3 non-small cell lung cancer study. Results from the REVEL trial were published in The Lancet and also presented at ASCO 2014.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will likely improve insurance coverage for most young adults, but subsets of young adults in the United States will face significant premium increases in the individual market. We examined the association between insurance status and cancer-specific outcomes among young adults.

A recent study found evidence suggesting that genetically modifying immune cells might effectively treat multiple myeloma.

In this final segment, the panelists analyze the need for physician education. Dr Kumar says there is always a need for physician education because the field of multiple myeloma treatment is constantly evolving.

Dr Chernew asks panelists how patients might learn about clinical trials, and how trials handle treatment placebos.

Dr Chernew asks panelists about the role of insurers and Medicare for patients in the treatment of multiple myeloma. While insurers may not have necessarily been a barrier to care, costs of drugs have been.

The panelists discuss how diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma might vary within different patient populations. They also analyze the costs associated with care for the disease within different populations.

The panelists debate the costs of multiple myeloma treatment. There are costs for initial treatment, maintenance care, and the price that comes with taking multiple drugs.

Ms Young notes that while there is no cure, there has been tremendous progress in the development of newer drug classes.

The conversation shifts from diagnosis of multiple myeloma to the various benefits and risks associated with treatment. Dr Chernew comments that multiple myeloma treatment is an area of great innovation, where options for patients are constantly changing.

Dr Chernew leads the conversation to biomarkers in bone turnover and immunoglobulin expression.

Ms Young addresses MMRF's CoMMpass study, a longitudinal study that is following 1000 patients who have been newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, from initial diagnosis over a period of at least 5 years.

Dr Kumar continues his analysis of the genetic and familial probability of a patient being diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Moderator Michael Chernew, PhD, co-editor-in-chief, The American Journal of Managed Care, and professor, Leonard D. Schaeffer School of Healthcare Policy, Harvard, leads a panel discussion on multiple myeloma.

Cancer Care Administered by Oncologist-Owned Practices Costs 3 to 14 Percent Less Than Hospital-Owned Oncology Practices Greatest dollar gaps seen in metastatic colorectal cancer, according to ASCO presentation.

For oncologists and other cancer care specialists, value-based care is essential.

Excitement at ASCO 2014 on Incyte's new immunoonoclogy drug candidate, INCB024360 ('360),in melanoma, despite a small 'n'.

Some experts argue that overdiagnosis (OD) and overtreatment (OT) of cancer is common and increasingly costly. Others argue that current cure rates are high because of the screening processes currently in place. Both viewpoints were debated during the session "Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment in Cancer: Point/Counterpoint."

The health services research poster session held in the afternoon on the penultimate day of the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) presented different perspectives on issues that determine patient care decisions. This is an important discussion, especially in light of the recent report by The Wall Street Journal on WellPoint's effort to promote oncologist adherence to standardized treatment guidelines.

The discussion on value in cancer care was rekindled today at the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, but this time on a global scale. The session, "ASCO/European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) Joint Session: Value and Cancer Care," saw participation from physicians and economists from around the world, with individual perspectives on defining value and the programs being developed to address the issue.

Velcade (bortezomib), developed by Millenium Pharmaceuticals, is a proteasome inhibitor that is currently approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. Several abstracts were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology this year for its use in other indications.