ASCO 2015 Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic will have far-reaching economic implications in the United States and abroad for the foreseeable future. During this session, Murray Aitken, MBA, Director, IQVIA Institute, presented emerging data regarding some of the ways in which the pandemic is affecting the US economy.

Nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare delivery. In this panel, distinguished nursing professionals discussed topics and issues that have arisen during the pandemic. Led by healthcare educator Lillie D. Shockney, the comprehensive panel covered some of the myriad issues nurse navigators confront now, including rising cancer rates in an aging population, and a decline in numbers of oncology nurses and oncologists.

The federal government is an active participant in shaping healthcare policy and delivering care. The panelists in this session addressed the government’s response to COVID-19 and weighed in on some of the issues that their agencies frequently encountered as medical practices grapple with the new normal.

Employers continue to face significant challenges as they strive to provide healthcare coverage for their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this discussion, moderated by Burt Zweigenhaft, PhD, D.Litt, a panel of experts explore solutions for some of the issues arising in a vastly changed healthcare market, and strategies for improving the way in which health benefits are conceived and implemented.

Telehealth continues to play a critical role in providing healthcare services to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a webcast titled COVID-19: Impact on Telehealth, Rick Lee, Executive Chairman, Healthy Platforms and CancerLife, along with a panel of experts, discussed the benefits and ongoing challenges associated with the use of telemedicine and the far-reaching impact of this technology beyond the current crisis.

Dr Angela Lamarca discusses the use of FGFR inhibitors in daily practice. Their use will depend largely on data from currently ongoing second- and first-line clinical trials. She suggests that consideration should be given to their use in combination with chemotherapy and/or as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy. Dr Milind Javle summarizes the field, suggesting that a time may come when patients with CCA are never treated with chemotherapy at all. Pemigatinib was FDA approved as second-line therapy in cholangiocarcinoma in May 2020.