Clinical

The use of genetic testing has led to a radical change within certain specialties and hospital departments. And although doctors are being asked to do more, they do it gladly because the work leads to better treatment decisions for patients, said Mark G. Kris, MD, William and Joy Ruane chair in thoracic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Reimbursement remains a primary concern with the new immuno-oncology agents. Who pays and how do you ensure payment was fervently discussed by oncologists at the recent ICLIO meeting hosted by the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

A study reports that despite the steady growth in hospital-based palliative care programs, access is sketchy and is driven by geographic location and hospital ownership.

A government-funded network of specialized survivor clinics in Ontario, Canada, significantly decreased emergency department visits among adult survivors of childhood cancer.

The study plans to evaluate the impact of a personalized approach to breast cancer screening over an annual mammogram.

This approval marks the first-ever for 2 immuno-oncology agents in cancer treatment.

Researchers in China and the United States have developed a predictive model capable of forecasting which patients will account for either small or large proportions of healthcare resource utilization in the next 6 months.

The result of a multicollaborative effort, the study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that incorporating breast density information in the risk calculator could accurately estimate women's risk for the disease.

A study published in BMJ measured the prevalence, annual compensation, and beneficial stock ownership of directors from publicly traded healthcare companies who had academic affiliations.

The CHHiP trial found fewer high-dose radiotherapy was as effective as more number of low-dose radiotherapy in men with prostate cancer.

An NCI-funded Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium study has found that computer-aided detection and interpretation of mammograms does not add any value to breast cancer screening.

A prospective study that enrolled more than 10,000 women with hormone-receptor—positive, HER2-negative breast cancer has found that their response to a 21-gene test can identify patients who can avoid chemotherapy.

High-cost patients diagnosed with opioid abuse have higher rates of chronic comorbidities and mental health conditions compared with lower-cost patients, which highlights the need to consider the complete medical and psychosocial patient history, according to a new study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy.

Palliative care should enter into the discussion with patients with cancer as early as possible as it can manage symptoms from therapy or it can provide comfort to patients who cannot afford or choose to forgo therapy, said Amy Davidoff, PhD, MS. Plus, she discusses the impact biosimilars may have on therapy costs.

Data presented at the ongoing European Cancer Congress has identified a different epigenetic profile in the tumors of younger colorectal cancer patients, information that can help improve treatment options in this population.

Eighty-six million US adults are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Without prevention, there will be a drastic increase in the number of Americans who will develop type 2 diabetes.

Medicare beneficiaries undergoing dialysis who reach the Part D coverage gap have increased out-of-pocket spending, increased medical service utilization and costs, and increased mortality, according to a new study.

More than $100 million in Affordable Care Act funding is being awarded to 17 national, regional, and state hospital associations and health system organizations to assist efforts to reduce hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions.

Developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, the vaccine has shown the potential to impact precancerous cervical lesions.

The trial, conducted in France, was a proof-of-concept study to evaluate the efficacy of targeted agents in patients, based on their tumor's molecular profile.

Telehealth follow up consultations after a surgical operation have become preferred compared to in-person visits, according to 2 recent studies.

In a letter to Pathway Genomics, the FDA has expressed interest in discussing the company's validation strategy as well as evaluating data on clinical sensitivity and specificity of the CancerIntercept Detect test.

A study published in The Journal of Urology suggests the Grade D recommendation for PSA-based screening may place those with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer at risk.

Public outrage over the 5000% price increase for Daraprim, a 62-year-old drug purchased by Turing Pharmaceuticals in August, prompted the company to promise it would lower the drug's cost. This is not the first time such an incidence has occurred.

Julie Vose, MD, MBA, FASCO, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and keynote speaker at Patient-Centered Oncology Care 2015, explains the importance of the meeting and how patients benefit when a diverse set of stakeholders come together in one room.