Oncology

While one-third of primary care providers (PCPs) reported participating in breast cancer treatment decisions with their patients, a significant amount of them also indicated that they were not comfortable or did not feel that they had the necessary knowledge to participate in the treatment decision-making process.

Immunotherapy has seen great success in the treatment of numerous cancers, from melanoma to lung, breast, colorectal, kidney, and even some brain cancers. But thus far, despite several attempts, the devastating brain disease glioblastoma has not been among the immunotherapy success stories. In fact, glioblastoma researchers have had few advances in more than a decade.

From her vantage point at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Janice Mehnert, MD, has had a front-row seat to the immuno-oncology revolution. Mehnert returned to her alma mater in 2007, and since 2014, she has headed Rutgers’ Phase I/ Developmental Therapeutics Program; she is also head of the melanoma research team. Her work on the KEYNOTE-028 trial has produced important results in multiple cancers, including neuroendocrine tumors, thyroid cancer, small cell lung cancer, and, recently, advanced ovarian cancer.

Experts at the “Paying for Cures: Ensuring patient access and system sustainability" event discussed how the healthcare system can pay for curative therapies that have high upfront costs with benefits that accrue over time.

Preventive screening and treatment advances have contributed to saving lives for patients with breast cancer. A new study has identified that these changes could be responsible for averting up to 614,500 breast cancer deaths since 1989.

Two studies presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition examined patient preferences in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment and the importance of understanding these preferences when making treatment decisions.

Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.

Once identified, ovarian tumors are usually surgically removed due to the presumed risk of complications associated with the diagnosis. Researchers recently looked to evaluate the incidence of cyst complications and malignancy during the first 2 years of follow-up after the tumors were classified as benign.

During his second State of the Union address, President Trump highlighted past bipartisan accomplishments, such as legislation to confront the opioid crisis, but also outlined future priorities, such as addressing the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs.

Cancers related to obesity are on the rise, especially among millennials; a right-to-try advocate is receiving treatment for his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis under the new law; and women's brains age more slowly than men's.

Foundation Medicine announced that it has won a nationwide contract from the Department of Veterans Affairs National Precision Oncology Program. The contract covers all of Foundation Medicine’s tests.

Chronic pain accounted for 62.2% of all patient-reported qualifying conditions under which US patients sought medical marijuana, according to a new paper in Health Affairs.

Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.

Abstracts presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition looked at how monitoring minimal residual disease can help predict outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

A recent review outlined a vast array of biomarkers that may have clinical implications on the treatment and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

This week, the top managed care news included House and Senate hearings on the cost of prescription drugs; a study finding patients with diabetes can be safely switched to cheaper insulin; and the first non-chemotherapy combination being approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the healthcare and mainstream press.

Reflecting on a year of breakthrough advancements in the treatment of rare, difficult to treat cancers, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has named “Progress in Treating Rare Cancers” as the Advance of the Year.

In this podcast, we speak with Rebecca Siegel, MPH, strategic director of surveillance information services in the Intramural Research Department at the American Cancer Society, and the lead author of the annual Cancer Statistics report that estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths in the United States each year.

https://www.pharmacytimes.org/on-demand/mantle-cell-lymphoma-mcl-treatment-landscape-and-access-to-care

The ninth annual Trending Now in Cancer Care survey identified current and emerging trends for US cancer programs, such as the ongoing threat of drug costs and popular services progams are planning to add in the next 2 years.

The approval marks the first non-chemotherapy combination regimen for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

https://www.pharmacytimes.org/on-demand/managed-care-considerations-in-meeting-the-complex-needs-of-patients-with-pancreatic-cancer

As patients with multiple myeloma live longer thanks to advancements in treatments, more attention is being paid to treatment-related toxicities that are becoming more relevant.

Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.