ASCO 2015 Highlights

Oncologists’ excitement about the promise of immunotherapy is about to be tested in clinical practice, with the recent FDA approval of pembrolizumab (Kytruda; Merck), the first anti–programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody

Chicago, IL—Oncologists should become value-based providers by eliminating unnecessary tests, prescribing cheaper alternatives when therapeutic equivalents exist, and keep calling for payment reform, said Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, at the 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, during a session on defining value from different stakeholder perspectives.

Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, as well as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States.

Chicago, IL—When added to chemotherapy (ie, docetaxel), the new monoclonal antibody ramucirumab improved overall survival (OS) compared with chemotherapy alone in patients with stage IV non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to phase 3 trial results presented at the 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.

Chicago, IL— Necitumumab, a human immunoglobulin G1 anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, added to standard chemotherapy significantly improved survival compared with chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment of patients with stage IV non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of squamous histology.

Toronto, Ontario—Going to more than 10 indoor tanning sessions over a person’s lifetime is associated with a 34% increased risk of developing melanoma, according to a new meta-analysis presented at the 2014 Canadian Dermatology Association annual meeting.

When a promising investigational cancer drug enters a development area of great medical need, there is high pressure on the manufacturer from patients and from physicians to quickly secure patient access to this drug.

Los Angeles, CA—Value is the preeminent goal in cancer care, because it unites all of the interests of the stakeholders, including patients, said Douglas W. Blayney, MD, Medical Director, Stanford Cancer Institute, CA, at the Fourth Annual Conference of the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care.

Los Angeles, CA—CancerLinQ is focused on improving quality of cancer care and enhancing outcomes by providing patients and providers real-time access to big data in a rapid electronic system, said George W. Sledge, Jr, MD, Chief, Division of Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, CA.