Oncology

Patients who are treated with chemotherapy for their solid tumors have an increased risk of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (tMDS/AML) despite advances in chemotherapy regimens, according to a new study in JAMA Oncology.

Males with myeloproliferative neoplasms have worse survival compared with females with MPN, even when adjusted for age at presentation, presenting phenotype, and molecular characteristics.

From chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy to value-based contracting, reimbursement issues dominated reader interest.

The practices that have been participating in CMS’ Oncology Care Model have undergone significant practice transformation in order to be successful in the program. However, even after being in the model for 2 years, there are still remaining opportunities for investment.

Throughout the year, The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) offered a number of video programs, including Peer Exchange discussions and interviews, on a range of topics. Here are the most-watched videos published by AJMC® in 2018.

The Oncology Care Model (OCM) is not a sustainable model, but while it finishes out the 5-year pilot, CMS will likely be fine-tuning bundled payments in medical oncology, said Michael Kolodziej, MD, vice president and chief innovation officer at ADVI Health, Inc.

A joint assessment comparing the results of value frameworks created by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) found that the frameworks produce comparable measures of the clinical benefits of new cancer therapies in roughly two-thirds of more than 100 drug comparisons examined.

Implementing the Oncology Care Model required educating physicians and staff on a new way to do the work and why the changes were necessary under the new model, explained Sibel Blau, MD, medical oncologist at Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC.

Practices participating in the Oncology Care Model have now received performance results for 2 periods, and many practices were surprised that they didn’t perform as well as expected. In general, some of the practices have found it difficult to predict success in the model, but there have been positive results from the OCM.

As new breakthrough therapies are approved, clinical pathways have to be kept updated in order for patients to get the best treatments, said Robert Daly, MD, MBA, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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.

Patients with neutropenia or at risk of it need to be cautious of their diet, said Beth Wittmer, RN, OCN, manager of care management at Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute.

A study published in this month's issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® estimated standardized episode-level spending for patients across subcategories of care for each hospital referral region—defined by the Dartmouth Atlas—in order to identify the greatest opportunities for cost savings under the Oncology Care Model (OCM).

This week, the top managed care news included a report that found uninsured rates were on the rise in 2017; an analysis of rising health insurance costs for families; predictions for cardiology trends in 2019.

A panel of patient advocates at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Patient Advocacy Meeting, held in Washington, DC, discussed the reasons behind and consequences of inequities in cancer care.