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Anti-PD-1 Agents as Frontline Therapy
Richard W. Joseph, MD, notes that current treatment guidelines for melanoma recommend anti-PD-1 agents as front line therapy and discusses payer coverage for first-line use of these agents.
Although neither pembrolizumab nor nivolumab have FDA approval for the front line therapy indication, guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommended an anti-PD-1 agent as a preferred initial regimen, says Dr Joseph.
Unfortunately, he remarks, healthcare professionals and patients need to worry about whether front line use of these agents will be covered by payers. Currently, coverage of first-line anti-PD-1 therapy is mixed, Dr Joseph adds. While some payers cover anti-PD-1 therapy as front line treatment, others do not.
Front line use of anti-PD-1 therapy has the potential to save payers money, notes Dr Joseph, as these agents are more effective and less toxic than other options.
Laundromats as a New Frontier in Community Health, Medicaid Outreach
May 29th 2025Lindsey Leininger, PhD, and Allister Chang, MPA, highlight the potential of laundromats as accessible, community-based settings to support Medicaid outreach, foster trust, and connect families with essential health and social services.
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Could On-Body Delivery of Isatuximab Bring More Competition to Anti-CD38 Myeloma Treatment?
June 6th 2025Results for IRAKLIA show noninferiority for Sanofi's on-body delivery system for isatuximab, compared with IV administration. Patients overwhelmingly preferred the hands-free delivery option.
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