Laura is the vice president of content for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and all its brands, including Population Health, Equity & Outcomes; Evidence-Based Oncology™; and The Center for Biosimilars®. She has been working on AJMC since 2014 and has been with AJMC’s parent company, MJH Life Sciences®, since 2011.
She has an MA in business and economic reporting from New York University. You can connect with Laura on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Despite More Competition, Medicare Costs for MS Drugs Rose Steadily Over 10 Years
August 27th 2019Even as more competition entered the market, the prices of self-administered disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) rose steadily from 2006 to 2016, and seniors with Medicare Part D coverage saw a 7.2-fold increase in out-of-pocket costs.
Fatal AEs Associated With Alemtuzumab for MS May Occur More Frequently Than Previously Thought
August 23rd 2019Fatal adverse events (AEs) associated with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis (MS) may occur more frequently than previously understood based on past published literature, researchers found.
MDM2 Antagonists Help CDK4/6 Inhibitors Overcome Resistance in Melanoma
August 21st 2019Outside of breast cancer, cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors have not been as successful as tumors develop resistance. New research shows that a murine double minute (MDM2) antagonist can help CDK4/6 inhibitors overcome resistance, offering a potential second-line treatment option in melanoma.
CMS Announces Star Ratings Will Expand to ACA Health Plans
August 16th 2019Health plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges will be required to display quality ratings starting with the 2020 plan year, according to an announcement from CMS, which is expanding the 5-star rating system it uses on Medicare plans to the health insurance exchanges.
Chronic Active Lesions Associated With Poorer Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis
August 14th 2019Chronic active lesions, which are identified by their darkened outer rims, are associated with more aggressive multiple sclerosis and earlier disability, according to new research from the National Institute of Health.
Patients With Low-Risk Multiple Myeloma Precursor Can Progress to the Disease in Just 5 Years
August 10th 2019Patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor to multiple myeloma (MM), can progress from low- or intermediate-risk to MM in just 5 years, according to researchers who are now recommending all patients with MGUS undergo blood testing and risk assessment.
Patients With MS Less Likely to Have Received Vaccinations Before MS Diagnosis
August 9th 2019In the 5 years before being diagnosed, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were less likely to receive vaccinations than comparator groups, according to a new study from the Technical University of Munich and published in Neurology.
New Understanding of PARP Inhibitors Could Expand the Number of Patients to Treat
August 9th 2019A new understanding of how poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors work could expand the patient populations who are treated, according to a study. The researchers also identified a potential biomarker to indicate which patients would benefit the most.
Underlying Pathway in Lung Cancer Could Identify Appropriate Targeted Treatments
August 3rd 2019Research has uncovered 2 pathways through which lung adenocarcinoma can develop, and that knowledge could help target treatments to patients who will benefit the most, according to a new study published in Cancer Cell.
Coordinated Wellness Strategy Nets Positive Results and Savings at The Ohio State University
August 2nd 2019A case study from The Ohio State University highlights how initiatives addressed system-level drivers of burnout and not only improved the health of faculty, staff, and students, but also saved money.
Targeted Interventions Could Improve Sleep Quality in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease
July 22nd 2019While poor sleep quality is common in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), it is unclear which factors other than sleep disordered breathing may contribute to poor sleep quality for these patients. A study published in ERJ Open Research found that providers should target depression and coexisting sleep disorders in order to improve sleep quality and quality of life for patients with ILD.
Researchers Identify 5 Risk Factors for Blood Clots in Patients With MM Treated With IMiDs
July 19th 2019Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant complication for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who are being treated with immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), and a new assessment model may help to predict VTE in this population.
Water Source May Be Associated With Risk of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection
July 17th 2019An anaysis of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diagnostic tests for 15 years, water disinfection treatment, and water sources has found that where a city gets it water can increase the risk of NTM infection more than how the water is treated.