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Episode 2 - Diverse Applications Amidst a Growing Pipeline
As the panelists discuss cancer immunotherapy, Daniel J. George, MD, recognizes the tremendous amount of progress made in the development of immunotherapy agents. Dr George explains that as immunotherapy continues to evolve, the therapy option is now branching out to treat an entire host of tumors for all different stages of cancer, whereas in the past, immunotherapy played a role mainly in bladder cancer.
Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD, discusses how immunotherapy agents can be divided into 4 or 5 categories. Vaccines such as ipilmumab are among the most promising.
As exciting as the future looks, Michael Kolodziej, MD, is concerned about the cost of cancer immunotherapy drugs. Dr Kolodziej explains that these new therapies are very expensive, and is further concerned about the costs, as therapies are sometimes combined.
Dr George argues that the expense of these agents forces patients and their providers to stick to FDA-labeled treatments, whereas in the past, patients were treated off-label in certain instances. It is now too expensive to go off-label, and it is important that treatment decisions be data driven rather than focused on cost.
Unfortunately, Dr Weber argues, not all data are reflected on a drug’s label or package insert.
New Research Challenges Assumptions About Hospital-Physician Integration, Medicare Patient Mix
April 22nd 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Brady Post, PhD, lead author of a study published in the April 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®, challenges the claim that hospital-employed physicians serve a more complex patient mix.
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Specialty Drug Users to Gain Relief Under Medicare Reforms
May 16th 2025A new analysis looked at estimated out-of-pocket costs for etanercept, ustekinumab, and ibrutinib, specialty drugs that often represent a significant cost burden for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and which were selected for 2026 drug price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Varied Access: The Pharmacogenetic Testing Coverage Divide
February 18th 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the author of a study published in the February 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® to uncover significant differences in coverage decisions for pharmacogenetic tests across major US health insurers.
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Navigation and Clinician Payment Investments Enhance Colorectal Cancer Screening Benefits
May 15th 2025Investing in patient navigation and clinician incentives ensures colorectal cancer screening completion, improves early detection, reduces disparities, achieves cost savings, and advances population health for all stakeholders.
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