Maggie L. Shaw

Prior authorizations (PA) have been the subject of much scrutiny as of late through research demonstrating subsequent limited access to care in the aftermath of PA denials from use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

These authors investigated the potential influence of gut microbiota on ankylosing spondylitis pathophysiology.

The theme of our recent Nashville Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event was ”Bringing the Future to the Present in Cancer Care.”

Amivantamab's role in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been a highlight of the lung cancer space this year, with the 2 most recent approvals based on data from the MARIPOSA and MARIPOSA-2 trials.

In part 2 of our interview with Surbhi Sidana, MD, MBBS, American Society of Hematology and Stanford University, she delves into one of the hottest topics in the hematologic malignancy space today: minimal residual disease (MRD) status.

At the regional Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event in Boston, Vinayak Venkataraman, MD, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, was a panelist for the discussion, “Recent Advancements in Identifying Predictive Biomarkers for Sarcomas."

Of the 10% of women contacted for this survey who said that they or their partner had ever sought fertility assistance, only 7% were able to get the necessary care; cost was cited as the top reason for not being able to access fertility services.

In our conversation with Jeff Giullian, MD, MBA, chief medical officer with DaVita Kidney Care, we dive into 4 important aspects of kidney care: prevention, social support, integrated care, and patient support.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory, chronic disease with very high symptom and physical burdens, and it can get progressively worse over time if it's inadequately treated, explained Amit Garg, MD, founding chair, Department of Dermatology, Northwell Health.

The current research focus for Umit Tapan, MD, Boston Medical Center, is reducing disparities in lung cancer care and improving treatment access, in particular for immunotherapy and targeted treatments.

At our recent Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event in Boston, Hari Deshpande, MD, Yale Cancer Center, presented on predictive biomarkers in sarcomas.

Optune Lua creates tumor-treating fields to disrupt cancer cell division, and it is used in conjunction with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel to treat metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has not responded to platinum-based treatment.

Mortality outcomes were analyzed for the COVID-19 public health emergency period, from March 2020 through May 2023, to see if there were any apparent differences according to race or ethnicity.

Lecanemab (Leqembi; Eisai/Biogen) received traditional approval from the FDA in July 2023, following an accelerated approval in January 2023, to treat adult patients who have Alzheimer disease.

Ticiana Leal, MD, Winship Cancer Institutes, explains the importance of biomarker testing and multidisciplinary conversations while caring for patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Outcomes of interest in this study were time from diagnosis to initial prescription fill for an oral multiple myeloma (MM) medication and time from initial diagnosis to receipt of any treatment for MM.

In this interview from our Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event in Boston, we speak with Michael Hassett, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, on the clinical significance and cost implications of HER2 in the breast cancer space.

The theme of our inaugural regional Institute for Value-Based Medicine® event in Boston was, “Elevating Value in Cancer Care,” and one of the 4 panel discussions focused on the important contributions of pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy to the oncology space.

Hereditary breast cancers are caused by germline mutations, which are genetic mutations inherited at conception and so called because they originate in germ cells, those that develop into reproductive cells and become eggs in female individuals and sperm in male individuals.

Previous research has linked hidradenitis suppurativa to infertility, but concrete data are lacking on causality of the chronic inflammatory skin condition in this setting.

The approval came days before the FDA’s expected deadline and makes this the only PD-1 inhibitor approved for resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings.

Surbhi Sidana, MD, MBBS, shares how the addition of an anti-CD38 antibody to the VRd regimen significantly improves progression-free survival for patients with transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma.

This interview accompanies the final podcast in our National Recovery Month series with Lyndra Bills, MD, senior medical director, and Shari Hutchison, MS, director of program evaluation and outcomes, both with Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, part of the UPMC Insurance Services Division.

On September 20, the FDA approved isatuximab plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in the first line for patients who have multiple myeloma and are ineligible for transplant.

The 25th International AIDS Conference took place July 22-26 in Munich, Germany, and one of the sessions delved into the potential impact of civil society laws on the 95-95-95 targets as laid out in the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy for 2021 to 2026.

In less than a month, from August 20 to September 19, amivantamab (Ami; Rybrevant, Johnson & Johnson) received 2 approvals from the FDA for use in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Average Medicare drug premiums for older Americans will drop next year for those enrolled in traditional Medicare plans or who have coverage through Medicare Advantage, with opinions divided along party lines on the economic implications.

September is National Recovery Month, and we are bringing you another limited-edition month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In our final episode, we speak with Lyndra Bills, MD, and Shari Hutchison, MS.

The innovative program from the Family Heart Foundation includes being able to order a free test kit for an at-home blood lipid panel and track your results online, as well as the ability to discuss the findings with care navigators and health care providers.