ASCO 2015 Highlights

San Diego, CA—In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), the use of drug therapy as maintenance has been shown to prolong the length of time the disease is controlled. Specifically, use of maintenance therapy may affect overall survival, particularly when it is used after an autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT).

Now in its fourth week, the longest shutdown in the history of the federal government is having an impact on patient care, as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put drug reviews and approvals for new drugs and devices, as well as the issuance of new guidance documents, on indefinite hold. The FDA recently posted on its website a notice alerting the public of its current operational status.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of undifferentiated myeloid progenitors. While these leukemic blasts accumulate in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, impairment of normal hematopoiesis may lead to a reduction in the number of differentiated myeloid cells (granulocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes). Associated symptoms and consequences include anemia, bleeding, and an increased risk for infection.

Development and optimization of patient support programs requires organizational alignment and a comprehensive understanding of the payment and care delivery ecosystem in cancer.

As the number of people living with cancer continues to increase, so does the need for advocacy, education, and safety net programs to help patients afford the cost of care.

On November 2, 2018, the FDA approved pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca; Coherus BioSciences), as the second biosimilar to pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), to reduce the risk for infection in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies who receive myelosuppressive chemotherapy, which may result in febrile neutropenia.