Articles

Pharmaceutical support and innovation are vital to the effective treatment of patients with cancer. In this discussion, moderated by Burt Zweigenhaft, PhD, D.Litt, a panel of experts discussed the importance of maintaining an adequate supply of medicines for patients, and the need for philanthropic programs to ensure patients will be able to continue their medications, even if they lose their health insurance.

On May 1, 2020, the FDA approved a new formulation of daratumumab (Darzalex; Janssen Biotech) and hyaluronidase-fihj (Faspro; Janssen Biotech) for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed or with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This new formulation allows for the subcutaneous administration of daratumumab as an alternative to its intravenous (IV) administration. The new formulation is approved for the indications previously approved for IV daratumumab.

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, comprehensive cancer care centers have been tasked with significantly altering their strategies for the delivery of care. In this discussion, moderated by Burt Zweigenhaft, PhD, D.Litt, a panel of experts discuss some of the changes that have already been implemented at their centers and future considerations for healthcare systems as they focus on providing safe and effective care on the road to recovery.

Issues surrounding healthcare insurance continue to unfold in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In this discussion, a panel of managed care experts, moderated by Michael Kolodziej, MD, explore strategies for reducing the total cost of care for patients with cancer and addressing the economic and administrative burdens that practices and payers are facing as a result of the crisis.

Addressing the significant physical and psychosocial needs of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 crisis remains a top priority for healthcare providers. In this discussion, moderated by Elizabeth Franklin, PhD, MSW, a panel of specialists explore efforts underway to advocate for patients who are coping with stress, anxiety, and various economic burdens.

On April 29, 2020, the FDA accelerated the approval of the oral poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor niraparib (Zejula; GlaxoSmithKline) as the first and only drug approved for first-line maintenance therapy of all patients with advanced ovarian cancer—including epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer—who have had a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

On April 28, 2020, the FDA accelerated the approval of a new dosing regimen—400 mg every 6 weeks—for pembrolizumab (Keytruda; Merck) for all the 15 indications currently approved by the FDA for adults using this PD-1 inhibitor. The new dosing regimen is a new option in addition to the current dosing regimen of 200 mg every 3 weeks. This is great news for patients, as well as for oncology providers.