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EPO Does Not Benefit HNSCC Patients on Radiotherapy, Study Finds
Reaffirming previous trial results, the new study, published in International Journal of Radiation Oncology · Biology · Physics found that while radiation therapy had no impact on outcomes in head and neck cancer patients, it caused anemia in several.
Erythropoietin (EPO) support during radiation therapy had no impact on outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma and mild or moderate anemia, long-term results of a randomized trial showed. Locoregional failure, locoregional progression-free survival, and overall survival did not differ significantly between patients who received concomitant EPO and those who did not. If anything, the trial suggested a possible detrimental effect of EPO, as all three outcomes favored patients who received radiation therapy alone.
Added to negative findings from previous trials, the results do not reopen the previously closed door to use of EPO in cancer patients receiving curative therapy, as reported by George Shenouda, MD, of McGill University in Montreal, and colleagues in the April issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology · Biology · Physics.
Link to the article in MedpageToday:
Exploring Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care Prior Authorization Decisions
October 24th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the October 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that explored prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.
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Texas Oncology to Roll Out Canopy for ePROs After Head-to-Head Pilot
March 18th 2025Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president of Public Policy and Strategy for Texas Oncology, said the practice received positive feedback from nurses and patients during a pilot that concluded in February.
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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