Oncology

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore suggest that controlling the costs to treat cancer without increasing risk to patients requires a collaborative approach.

The malady of rising medical costs is acute, especially in the field of oncology. As populations age, new cancer cases are expected to reach 21.4 million in 2030, while treatment costs are projected to increase 40 percent by 2020.

Oncology clinical pathways have helped health plans deliver quality care while keeping an eye on costs. The lack of standardization in pathways can be cumbersome on a busy oncology practice. If Medicare adopts a pathways model, it could offer a framework for broader use.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday granted accelerated approval for the expanded use of ibrutinib, marketed as Imbruvica, for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients who have previously received at least one therapy. The therapy is notable for its relative lack of toxic effects.

The value of the mammogram is being questioned after 1 study found that the mortality rates resulting from breast cancer were the same in women who got screened and those who did not.

Testing the entire genetic makeup -- or all the DNA -- of tumor cells from women with advanced breast cancer may help identify patients who could be helped by specific treatments, according to new research.

Drugstore giant CVS Caremark's decision to stop selling tobacco products at its stores is being hailed as a victory among public health advocates, a move they predict will force CVS competitors to follow suit as they look to play a growing part in the delivery of the country's healthcare.

Pat Gleason, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, director of health outcomes, Prime Therapeutics, and Shelley Sanchez, senior director of specialty product development, Prime Therapeutics, presented on 1 approach to managing the specialty drug benefit, which includes optimizing the use of PhARMA manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs (PAPs).

Presenters in this talk focused on how the creation of health insurance exchanges (HIEs) and other federal and state regulations will impact the provision and administration of pharmacy benefits.

According to Howard K. Crowley, head of pharmacy strategic initiatives, Aetna Pharmacy Management, a Towers Watson/ National Business Group on Health survey found that 29% of employers rank the rising costs of specialty drugs as a top challenge to keeping health benefit coverage affordable.

This week AJMC is covering session highlights from the PBMI Annual Drug Benefit conference.

Chris Belmont, vice president and chief information officer, MD Anderson Cancer Center, says the right timing and the right context are essential to effective health data management.

Karen Lewis, MS, MM, CGC, says the goals of Healthy People 2020 are developed by looking at a variety of key areas in healthcare, and then choosing the most actionable items to improve the overall health of the general population.

Experts in treating older cancer patients say it's important to think of each patient individually, not to assume that because someone has reached a certain age that he or she isn't going to be able to withstand surgeries, radiation or chemotherapy.

COA and ASCO are issuing a joint statement on payment reform in cancer care. The goal is to improve the lives of individuals with cancer, in part by developing and supporting payment systems based on evidence-based medicine and measures of quality and value in cancer care.

As U.S. consumers are asked to shoulder more prescription drug costs, drugmakers say prices for brand-name medicines will keep rising, mainly because use of their products reduces other healthcare costs.

Amy Berman, BS, RN, says that all too often, people end up in the hospital because they don't know where else to go for treatment.

In a bid to improve treatment for men with high-risk prostate cancer, some researchers want to take a page from the playbook for breast cancer.

Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, says that right now, only a small portion of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) fits into the oncology model.

Effective management of the comorbidities of diabetes and hypertension may increase survival in older breast cancer survivors.

Starting next September, women at increased risk for breast cancer will be able to get some drugs shown to help prevent the disease without a co-pay, the Obama administration said Thursday.

The panelists discuss clinicians and their perspectives on financial constraints in treatment of NSCLC.

Dr Peskin begins by stating, costs are exceedingly consequential. Cancer care and treatment is occupying, and with demographics being what they are, increasingly larger relative total cost of care across the US, including various national organizations.

Dr Peskin discusses programs such as Choosing Wisely and how providers must be mindful of high value, cost-conscious, cost-aware care.

A look back at some of the InFocus blog highlights of 2013.