Oncology

Year 2 of the Oncology Care Model is about learning from the lessons of year 1 and extending implementation that has already been started, said Terrill Jordan, CEO of Regional Cancer Care Associates.

A pre-treatment signature of proteins used to predict survival in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving PD-1 inhibitors found that patients deemed sensitive by the test demonstrated significantly better overall survival.

New immuno-oncology agents are providing durable survival for some patients, but the cost of these treatments is very high, which is a cause for concern. In a new study in JAMA Oncology, researchers sought to assess how value frameworks defined the efficacy of new immuno-oncology agents.

A small pilot study from the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina found that smokers who are willing to use e-cigarettes tend to smoke less and have increased quit attempts.

Patients with cancer may have more options for oral cancer medications, but high out-of-pocket costs still present a barrier to access, according to a new study in Journal of Clinical Oncology.

This week, the top managed care stories included a road map to develop state-level programs to care for complex populations; the Physician-focused Payment Technical Advisory Committee backed 2 new alternative payment models; a new cancer gene profiling test may open doors to new targeted therapies.

A look at the most popular articles published in Evidence-Based Oncology™ in 2017.

Community oncologists have a major role in accelerating treatment development and providing them to patients, said Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD, the chief medical officer, chief scientific officer, and senior vice president of oncology at Flatiron Health.

While FoundationOne CDx, the comprehensive companion diagnostic test for solid tumors, gives patients the ability to be accurately matched with a targeted therapy, it also has potential benefits for patients with a less common types of cancers, said Stuart Goldberg, MD, chief scientific officer, Cota, in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care®.

Until more data is available, it’s difficult for a practice or physician group to make an accurate assessment of whether or not 2-sided risk is appropriate, said Sarah Cevallos, chief revenue cycle officer, Florida Cancer Specialists. Physicians would need to see clear metrics in order to know if they will be achievable.

In this interview, recorded at the end of the first day of PCOC®, Torrie Fields, senior program manager at Blue Shield of California, and Michael Kolodziej, MD, of ADVI Health, discuss the move to value-based care in oncology, what practices need to do to be successful, and the role of team-based care.

Most primary side effects of CAR T therapies occur early on after treatment and resolve quickly, but there are some that require long-term monitoring, explained Shannon L. Maude, MD, PhD, of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Every week, The American Journal of Managed Care® recaps the top managed care news of the week, and you can now listen to it on our podcast, Managed Care Cast.

Bobby Green, MD, MSCE, senior vice president of clinical oncology at Flatiron Health, discusses analyzing patient data to improve the overall care delivery and its challenges involved with being so early in the process.

This week, the top managed care stories included the elimination of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate; a new gene therapy for inherited vision loss that could cost $1 million; and a study found that social isolation can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Key drug approvals; alcohol cancer link.

Articles on type 2 diabetes management, colon cancer screenings, and anti-rheumatic drug approvals topped the list.

Based on CMMI's year 1 feedback on OCM, it is clear that a lot of planning is needed and education is crucial, said Terrill Jordan, CEO, of Regional Cancer Care Associates.

For the most part, it’s well known that eating healthy and in moderation is more beneficial to our health. In 2017, there were a number of news stories that drove that knowledge home.

The FDA's 2013 accelerated approval of pertuzumab for neoadjuvant use was converted to full approval as part of treatment for patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage breast cancer.

AJMC®TV interviews let you catch up on what’s new and important about changes in healthcare, with insights from key decision makers—from the clinician, to the health plan leader, to the regulator. When every minute in your day matters, AJMC®TV interviews keep you informed. Access the video clips at ajmc.com/interviews.

Contributors to AJMC.com delved into data to share their knowledge about important topics in managed care, and in 2017, these were the top 5 most-read articles they wrote and published on our online managed care network.

Nat Turner, co-founder and CEO of Flatiron Health, discusses how oncologists use data to assist them in meeting the requirements in new payment models.

Universal gene expression profiling of patients with stage II breast cancer resulted in outpatient savings of $11,000 (inclusive of testing costs) within 6 months of initiation of medical therapy.

As oncology practices transition to value-based care, they are challenged to take on more holistic responsibility for their patient. Fortunately, the examples of practices participating in CMS’ Oncology Care Model can offer valuable insight into the most impactful workflow changes providers can implement as they strive to achieve cost and quality improvements.

Coverage from the Community Oncology Alliance (COA)’s Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform, held October 23-24 in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Coverage from the Community Oncology Alliance Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform, held October 23-24 in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Increasing levels of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with prolonged survival in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, endometrioid ovarian cancer, and mucinous ovarian cancer, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology.