Oncology Business Management | Specialty

The OncLive Oncology Business Management condition center page is a comprehensive resource for news and expert insights on business-focused updates and topics in oncology practices, including diversity efforts, telehealth, gaps in care, payment models, and more. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on updates and best practices with oncology business management.


Eli Lilly Lands Expanded Lung Cancer Latitude

May 24th 2010

Eli Lilly and Company has obtained FDA approval for an expanded indication of its anti-cancer agent Alimta. This new indication allows Alimta to be combined with cisplatin as a first-line treatment in locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for patients with nonsquamous histology.

Three Trials Affirm Anticancer Benefit of Zometa in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

May 24th 2010

At the 33rd Annual ESMO Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, investigators presented new data from 3 clinical trials that indicate Zometa reduces the risk of local and distant breast cancer recurrence in pre- and postmenopausal women with early stage disease (stage I or II).

MediGene Drug Candidate May Extend Pancreatic Cancer Survival

May 24th 2010

MediGene, based in Germany, has a new product in late-stage development that may offer hope to patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

FDA Approves First Anti-Nausea Patch for Patients in Chemotherapy

May 24th 2010

ProStrakan Group plc, announced it had attained FDA approval to market Sancuso in the United States. The company describes Sancuso as the first and only anti-nausea and vomiting agent formulated for delivery via a transdermal patch, designed specifically to prevent these adverse effects in patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Rapid Pace of Oncology Industry Consolidation Continues: Pfizer's Sights on Bayer, ImClone Runs from BMS to Eli Lilly

May 24th 2010

Despite the rocky global economy-or perhaps because of it-consolidation in the oncology biotechnology industry continues to race forward. Over the past several quarters, we have seen a trend toward increased mergers and acquisitions, and this shows no signs of slowing down.

Pfizer Continues Transformation; Stakes Future on New Direction

May 24th 2010

Several months ago, Physicians' Financial News covered Pfizer Inc's aggressive move into the oncology market and the strategic and tactical refocus that accompanied its paradigm-changing shift in priorities. Since then, Pfizer has continued its profound efforts to reorganize in earnest pursuit of a larger berth in the cancer marketplace.

Financial Incentives for Quality in Breast Cancer Care

May 24th 2010

Many managed care and payer organizations use pay-for-performance programs as incentive to improve healthcare quality. While several studies have examined the effect of these programs on primary care, few studies have evaluated their impact on cancer care.

More Elderly Patients Up-to-Date on Colorectal Cancer Screening

May 24th 2010

Based on data from the National Health Interview Surveys of 2000-2005, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted a promising trend: nearly half of elderly individuals were up to date on the recommended number of screenings of colorectal cancer.

Cost of Care for Capecitabine vs 5-FU Regimens in Managed Care

May 24th 2010

Using a database of managed care claims, outcomes researchers at Huffman-La Roche Inc in Nutley, New Jersey, examined the total cost of care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (N = 1459) who received 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based regimens or capecitabine-based chemotherapy regimens from 2004-2006.

Use of Pain Medications in Cancer Patients Surprisingly Low

May 24th 2010

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than half of patients undergoing radiation therapy to manage malignant tumors report experiencing significant pain. Despite this, relatively few use pain relief medication.

Cost-effectiveness of Imatinib in Treating Advanced GIST

May 24th 2010

Although imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is the standard of care for patients with metastatic or unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), few studies have examined its cost-effectiveness in treating this disorder.

Disabled Women in Medicare Advantage Plans Get Breast Cancer Diagnosis Earlier

May 24th 2010

In addition to providing healthcare coverage for elderly individuals, CMS offers coverage for younger patients with chronic disabilities. Like all Medicare enrollees, these patients have the option to subscribe to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans Inadvertently Reduce Clinical Trial Enrollment

May 24th 2010

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute noted that the number of elderly patients with a new cancer diagnosis enrolled in oncology clinical trials has declined, and they think Medicare Advantage may be to blame.

Treating Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with Tegafur-Uracil Plus Leucovorin

May 24th 2010

Researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have found that oral fluoropyrimidines can facilitate longer exposure to 5-fluorouracil and reduce inconvenience in treating metastatic colorectal cancer.

Promising New Regimen for Head and Neck Cancers

May 24th 2010

Clinicians from various centers across the nation collaborated in conducting a multicenter phase II trial that assessed the feasibility, toxicity,and possible efficacy of a short-term treatment regimen prior to surgery for squamous-cell head and neck carcinoma (SCHNC).

Everolimus Plus Octreotide LAR for Treating Advanced Low- to Intermediate-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumors

May 24th 2010

Researchers from the University of Texas, Houston,recently evaluated the use of everolimus (RAD001) combined with octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR) to treat patients who have advanced low- to intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumors.

Iron Plus Darbepoetin Increases Hemoglobin Levels Better and Faster Than Darbepoetin Alone

May 21st 2010

At the 33rd Congress of ESMO in Stockholm, Sweden, findings were presented from a recent study that found administration of intravenous (IV) iron intensified and accelerated cancer patients' response to darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp.

Irinotecan Plus Carboplatin Prolongs Survival in Patients with Extensive Small-Cell Lung Cancer

May 21st 2010

German researchers sought to confirm the results of a previous Japanese trial that found patients with extensive-disease small–cell lung cancer (ED SCLC) treated with irinotecan plus cisplatin lived longer than subjects given therapy with etoposide plus cisplatin.

Combination Therapy Shows Promise in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

May 21st 2010

Women with ovarian cancer have few nonplatinum-based chemotherapy options. At the 33rd ESMO Congress in September 2008, researchers reported findings from OVA-301, a phase III trial that compared efficacy and safety of trabectedin (Yondelis) in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) versus PLD monotherapy in women with relapsed ovarian cancer.

Treating Head and Neck Cancer with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Plus Cetuximab

May 21st 2010

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients who have recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC) that is resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy can be treated effectively with cetuximab. Belgian researchers hoped to discover whether cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy would be an effective first-line treatment in patients with SCHNC.

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