Oncology

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute tool evaluates the probability of having genetic mutations that confer elevated risk for 18 cancers.

Overall survival is considered a more definitive end point. But according to Vinay Prasad, M.D., M.P.H., and colleagues , drugs approved based on progression-free survival and overall response rate were priced higher than those approved based on overall survival.

Escalating costs are hitting patients hard. CMS price negotiation and the $2,000 cap on Part D out-of-pocket expenses should benefit many patients with Medicare coverage.

More of these treatments have been approved, but supply chain issues and cost remain obstacles.

Although the Oncology Care Model produced some positive results, the value-based care model cost Medicare money. Now attention is turning to its successor, the Enhancing Oncology Model.

Bispecific antibody therapies are also in development.

If biosimilar acceptance is to grow, it’s going to take a great deal of work to improve the levels of trust between payers, patients, and oncologists.

Research and discussion about the high cancer rates among Black Americans used to be dominated by genetics and the search for biological differences. Now attention has shifted to the social determinants of health.

Patients with cancer who have a poor prognosis may face obstacles in accessing critical pain medications.

The American Cancer Society’s 2022 statistical report shows that the 30-year trend is continuing.

Biden is reviving the program he headed as vice president with the goal of reducing the cancer mortality rate and improving the experience of patients and their loved ones.

The introduction of an electronic tracking system decreased the time from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis to treatment by more than a month.

The global cancer immunotherapy market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 12.6% to $277.1 billion by 2030.

But the future of value-based care in oncology is uncertain with no certain successor to the Oncology Care Model in sight.

Patients with a variety of cancers spent much more money out of their own pocket than those in traditional plans. Some may be delaying treatment due to higher costs.

Site of service has a major effect on the cost. Home infusion and oral formulations are challenging both hospital- and physician-based infusions.

Per episode saving of $297 during the first three years of the value-based care model were offset by $704 in payments for enhanced services to the 201 participating practices, study finds.

In COVID-19 news: An advisory committee recommends both J&J's and Moderna’s booster, Regeneron seeks full approved for its treatment and Merck seeks EUA for treatment. In cancer, the FDA approves Verzenio for early breast cancer, Keytruda for advanced cervical cancer, and Tecentriq in early nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Pfizer officially seeks EUA for pediatric COVID vaccine, AstraZeneca seeks EU for COVID-19 prevention, J&J submits data for COVID-19 booster, a gene therapy is approved for leukemia, and Janssen submits Stelara for psoriatic arthritis in children.

Many states only have vaguely worded qualitative standards for network adequacy for cancer care. Others have quantitative standards based on distance or waiting time.

A recent City of Hope study claims a therapy that combines a drug that disrupts DNA repair with chemotherapy cisplatin and gemcitabine does not prolong progression-free survival for patients with urothelial cancer.

Mobile devices for patients to report symptoms associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors address an unmet need.

Tecentriq loses indication, Xarelto is approved for reduce risks of cardiovascular events, Tibsovo is approved for rare cancer, Skytrofa is a new, once-weekly growth hormone, and supplemental application is filed Orencia graft-versus-host disease.

Study results reported in JAMA Network Open show that financial incentives are only modestly effective in getting more people to get way screened for colorectal cancer.

FDA approves Opdivo, Jardiance for new indication, Jemperli gets accelerated approval for solid tumors, and Lilly’s rapid-acting insulin, Lyumjev is approved for administration via an insulin pump.

Study shows that nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who smoke but quit after their diagnosis have better overall survival, progression-free survival than patients who continue to smoke.

New vaccine for pneumococcal disease, an sNDA approved based on real-world data, a new therapy for skin and muscle disease, Keytruda combination receives full approval in endometrial cancer, a new diabetes therapy is approved, and another JAK inhibitor misses PDUFA date round out this week’s FDA news.

Sixty percent of patients likely to move forward with a healthcare decision not recommended by their physician, according to a TrialJectory Survey.

When wondering what step to take first after learning of your cancer diagnosis, assembling the right care team and creating a treatment plan designed uniquely is important to get you on the right track. Comprehensive biomarker testing can then help identify your type of lung cancer and help move steps forward for proper care.

The FDA’s accelerated pathway gets drugs to market quickly, but it also can mean patients are put on therapies that do not actually provide a clinical benefit.