Episode 8 - A Managed Care Approach to Immunotherapy

As the panelists discuss the skepticism often associated with treatment outcomes of immunotherapy when compared with outcomes of standard treatment options such as chemotherapy, the panelists conclude that tumor response (or reduction) should not be considered an ultimate end point when determining results.

In practice, Daniel J. George, MD, believes that patients’ goals are achieved when they can experience a decent quality of life without experiencing any disease progression. Dr George further explains that some patients that have tumor burden still experience a fantastic quality of life if their treatment side effects are managed correctly.

Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD, agrees with Dr George and explains that although tumor response is a desirable end point, as recognized by the FDA, it should be perceived as a useful, but not ultimate, result factor.