Oncology Practice Insider

In the latest ASCO in Action Podcast, Dr. Beverly Moy joined ASCO CEO Dr. Clifford A. Hudis to discuss financial barriers to patient participation in clinical trials—and solutions to address this problem. Dr. Moy stresses that improving trial participation in underserved groups is critical to discovering new cancer treatments that are effective in all populations. “No patient should be harmed financially because of their contributions to the advancement of science,” says Dr. Moy. “If we’re united in this belief, then we really can move forward together.”

ASCO and Friends of Cancer Research applauded the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) recent revision of its clinical trial protocol template to broaden eligibility criteria for cancer clinical trials.

ASCO is assembling a cohort of its members who are willing to participate in survey-based research projects of ASCO members for non-commercial purposes. The immense knowledge and experience of ASCO’s membership can help to accelerate the development of new insights and findings that may help to improve care and care delivery. Learn how to join today!

Provide your patients with practical tips to help them manage various aspects of their cancer care, from pain to treatment costs and more. ASCO Members save 20%. Free domestic shipping. Browse booklets.

On November 28, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Truxima (rituximab-abbs, Celltrion Inc.) as the first biosimilar to Rituxan (rituximab, Genentech Inc.) for patients with CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) to be used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. Read more. 

On November 26, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to larotrectinib (VITRAKVI®, Loxo Oncology Inc. and Bayer) for adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation, that are either metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and who have no satisfactory alternative treatments or whose cancer has progressed following treatment.

Journal of Oncology Practice article explores how access to high-quality cancer care remains a challenge for many patients with a large barrier being the increasing cost of treatment. With recent shifts in cancer care delivery from community-based to hospital-based clinics, Gordan et al examine whether this shift could result in increased costs for patients with three common tumor types. Keep reading

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support and inquiry about ways to honor and remember our late ASCO Board member, Dr. Arti Hurria. Based on consistent suggestions received, ASCO established the Endowed Young Investigator Award In Geriatric Oncology in honor of Dr. Arti Hurria. Dr. Clifford Hudis, ASCO and Conquer Cancer CEO, has received approval from Arti’s family to establish this fund. To make a contribution simply use this link:  http://conquer.org/Hurria.