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Study Substantiates Cost-Effectiveness of Biomarker-Based NSCLC Treatment
Multiplexed genetic screening for EGFR and ALK gene rearrangements and subsequent biomarker-guided treatment is cost-effective compared with standard chemotherapy treatment without any molecular testing in the metastatic NSCLC setting in the United States, researchers report in The Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
In NSCLC there are specific genetic abnormalities within the tumor that can be exploited with drugs specific for the molecular abnormality. These molecularly-guided or targeted-therapies have been shown to be effective for tumors with EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements thus leading to approved drugs and guidelines for molecular testing. However, the presence of EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements is low in unselected NSCLC, 9.5% and 3.9%, respectively. Likewise there is a cost associated with molecular testing and the question of whether to wait for molecular results or start chemotherapy immediately has led to complexity in treatment decision-making.
Researchers at Harvard University constructed a microsimulation model to compare life expectancy and costs of multiplexed EGFR and ALK testing followed by molecularly-guided therapy versus chemotherapy with no testing, chemotherapy until the testing results and switch to targeted-therapy, or a complete course of chemotherapy followed by targeted-therapy if indicated.
Read the cmplete article on ScienceDaily: http://bit.ly/1voQB8d
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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