ASCO Conference

Cost-related factors are a chief reason for patients declining to participate in a clinical trial, a survey of 4 community oncology practices showed.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) stated that comparative effectiveness research (CER) should draw on approaches currently used for clinical trials, highlighting its stake in the matter by pointing out that CER is integral to oncology research.

Chicago, IL—Using genetic and pharmacogenomic information to treat patients with cancer in optimal fashion has advanced in the past several years, and the clinical utility of this approach should continue to improve as genetic research continues, said several panelists at a 2010 ASCO session on evaluating the evidence and marketing of genomic tests.

Chicago, IL—The cost-effectiveness of adding bevacizumab (Avastin) to first-line chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer is comparable to that of many other therapies for metastatic cancer.

Chicago, IL—Active surveillance is a cost-effective option for low-risk clinically localized prostate cancer.

Chicago, IL—Taking part in clinical research poses administrative, logistic, and financial challenges to community oncology practices, but also presents these organizations with opportunities for a more active role in shaping patient care.