Oncology

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.

The second day at the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology ended with a session entitled "Health Care in America in 2014: Current and Future Implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (PPACA). The presenters provided an overview of the recent and anticipated changes related to the PPACA as well as its timeline.

"The Value of Cancer Care and the Professional and Ethical Obligations of the Practicing Oncologist: A Debate" delved into the ethical issues raised by the economic reality of the rising costs of cancer care for the practicing oncologist.

ABT-199, the result of a collaboration between AbbVie and Genentech, is a selective, potent, orally available BCL-2 inhibitor. The drug is being developed in collaboration by the two companies for acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

While the incidence of cancer continues to grow, novel and targeted therapies being developed have seen much improved survival for even the deadliest of cancers. New innovations in cancer diagnosis and treatment are associated with high cost. Cancer therapy constitutes nearly 11% of the total healthcare budget, and it is rapidly growing.

On the second day of the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a session titled, "Targeting EGFR: the next 10 years" provided a progress report on the successful targeting of the protein in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).