ASCO 2015 Highlights

Chicago, IL—For the individual at average risk for disease, whole-genome sequencing (WGS)—mapping the sequence of one’s full set of genetic material—is not a crystal ball to reliably predict future health, according to a study presented at the 2012 American Association for Cancer Research meeting.

Chicago, IL—Metformin cannot seem to stay out of the news. This antidiabetes drug that is derived from the French lilac is now also thought to possibly protect against liver cancer, lower the risk for oral cancer, improve prognosis of pancreatic cancer in diabetic patients, and increase response to melanoma tumors with BRAF mutations when used in combination with a common cancer drug, according to several studies presented at the 2012 American Association for Cancer Research meeting.

Chicago, IL—Targeting prostate cancer with extreme accuracy, using tissue oxygen content to predict its recurrence, and using breast cancer drugs on brain tumors were a few highlights of a news conference on advances in personalized medicine at the 2012 American Association for Cancer Research meeting.

Baltimore, MD—According to Ernest Anderson, Jr, MS, RPh, System Vice President of Pharmacy, Steward Health Care System, Boston, MA, “If you’re not familiar with the drug shortage issue, you must be living under a rock.”

Baltimore, MD—Results from the latest survey of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) membership suggest that although cancer centers have stepped up their efforts to introduce cost-reduction and revenue-enhancing initiatives, the rising tide of underinsured or uninsured patients with cancer is straining even the most optimistic of business plans.

An independent health information technology company, eviti, Inc, provides a suite of web-based decision-support services that connects and delivers value to all parties in the care process—patients receive quality care, physicians are assured payment, insurers pay for quality care only, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) or specialty pharmacy improve adherence.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) introduced 3 new panels to its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™ at its 2012 annual conference.

Patients receiving a diagnosis of cancer are at increased risk for suicide and other adverse health effects that are triggered by the trauma associated with such a diagnosis, according to results of a recent study (Fang F, et al. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:1310-1318).

The 2012 updates to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™ have elevated several drugs to category 1 recommendation and have changed the algorithm for work-up in some tumors. A synopsis of the key updates presented at the 2012 annual conference is reported here.

Houston, TX—In the past 2 decades, community oncologists have experienced an era of stability (1991-2003) and a time of adaptation (2004-2006), and are now practicing in an era that may best be described as feeling the “squeeze” (2007-present), said Thomas A. Marsland, MD, President of Cancer Specialists of North Florida, Jacksonville, who discussed the current crisis in the community oncology setting at the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care second annual conference.