Oncology

Data represented May 18, 2015, at the American Urological Association annual meeting in New Orleans, certainly grabbed headlines.

The report found a 6.5% increase in the compound annual growth rate during the 5-year period leading up to 2014.

BMS has submitted phase 3 results from the CheckMate-066 trial, comparing nivolumab with dacarbazine in treatment-naïve advanced melanoma patients.

Evidence-Based Oncology's editor in chief introduces the special issue on cardio-oncology.

A US appeals court has blocked Novartis from selling the first biosimilar to be approved in the United States.

Will Sandoz' biosimilar, first ever in the US, ever see the light of day?

While the 21st Century Cures Act that was recently approved is full of promise for healthcare innovation, experts warn against some of the Act's provisions.

A session at the 64th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology evaluated the cardiotoxic outcomes of treatment in cancer survivors.

On the first day of the NCCN 20th Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 12-14, 2015, panelists took a look back at the last 20 years of the NCCN and why it succeeded when others had failed before.

Participants on the second day of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 20th Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 12-14, 2015, spent a long time defining value in cancer care and how it can be incorporated into healthcare decision making.

During the session "Principles of Immunotherapy" at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 20th Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida, Anthony J. Olszanski, RPh, MD, from the Fox Chase Cancer Center, described the complex interplay between the immune system and cancer.

Biomarker-directed regimens in cancer not only ensure treatment for the right patient population, it also makes economic sense, especially in today's climate of high-cost specialty medications like the novel immunooncology agents, nivolumab and pembrolizumab.

Anju Nohria, MD, assistant professor, Harvard Medical School, spoke to Evidence-Based Oncology about some of the challenges clinicians face with monitoring cardiovascular risks in cancer patients.

A Cardio-Oncology Working Group formed by the ACC conducted a nationwide survey focused on cardio-oncology services, gathering opinions from cardiovascular division chiefs and fellowship training directors. This helped identify important challenges, including the need for broader educational opportunities and training.

The American Journal of Managed Care convened experts in health policy, from health plans, and from community oncology, to discuss OCM and other issues in oncology care during the Oncology Stakeholders Summit, Spring 2015 Peer Exchange.

To discuss patient-reported outcomes and their importance in patient-centered care, The American Journal of Managed Care convened a panel of healthcare experts to participate in the Oncology Stakeholders Summit, Spring 2015 Peer Exchange.

Luis A. Diaz, Jr, MD, associate professor of oncology, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, discovered that patients with high mutational burden with mismatched repair responded well to checkpoint inhibition of PD1.

Much-anticipated trial results were presented on the third day of the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held in Chicago. These included phase 3 results from the CheckMate 067 trial and a phase 2 study with elotuzumab.

While the clinical data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) created waves, a session on value had an equally significant impact as oncologists thronged to hear stakeholder voices define this, as yet abstract, concept of "value" in cancer care. The session brought together a patient representative, an oncologist, an ASCO representative, and a payer.

The Patient Advocate Program (PAF) serves patients with chronic, life threatening or debilitating diseases by providing direct financial support as well as case management support. Alan Balch, PhD, chief executive officer, PAF, explained that PAF guides their members through insurance systems when issues of access or affordability arise for the individual.

A late-breaking abstract session early on the second day of the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology was reserved for the latest data from clinical trials evaluating the new immuno-oncology agents of the PD-1 inhibitor class.

Supporting shared decision making between cancer patients and oncologists starts with an understanding of what the physician's role is, explained Peter P. Yu, MD, FACP, FASCP, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and director of cancer research at Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

During the Health Services Research and Quality of Care session on the second day of the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, being held at the McCormick Convention Center, Chicago, oncologists discussed barriers to patient participation in cancer clinical trials, and discussed attributes of the high cost of care.

The introduction of the immune regulatory checkpoint inhibitors and their impressive results is what John C. Morris, MD, professor of hematology and oncology at the University of Cincinnati, finds most exciting in the area of lung cancer immunotherapy.

This week CMS unveiled its proposed rule to overhaul Medicaid managed care and folded to Florida Governor Rick Scott, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology kicks off its annual meeting in Chicago.