Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.
Expert Panel Offers Insight Into Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Health Care Disparities
A panel of experts at AMCP Nexus 2021 explored multiple ways that health plans and providers can begin to address disparities in health care and offered recommendations on how to implement these tactics effectively.
Reference, Biosimilar Pegfilgrastim Can Be Safely Administered Same Day as Chemotherapy
Investigators concluded that reference or biosimilar pegfilgrastim could be safely administered to patients with lymphoma on the same day they receive chemotherapy, which could reduce scheduling burden and risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Study Finds Some Disease-Modifying Therapies Reduce COVID-19 Protective Immunity in Patients With MS
Some immunosuppressive medications, particularly anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, were found to reduce antibodies designed to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have recovered from COVID-19, investigators concluded.
Despite Awareness of Biosimilars, More Education Among Oncologists in Brazil Needed
Brazilian oncologists showed a solid knowledge base about biosimilars and their safety; however, concerns over extrapolation and interchangeability requirements remained, suggesting that more education on these subjects is needed.
The Myriad Ways ctDNA Analysis Using Liquid Biopsy Can Be Applied in NSCLC
A literature review examined the many clinical applications for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and provided insight into how liquid biopsy can help avoid certain limitations presented by other ctDNA analysis methods.
Bevacizumab Biosimilar Found to Have Safety, Efficacy Equivalent to Reference Avastin for NSCLC
Bevacizumab biosimilar LY01008 demonstrated comparative safety, efficacy, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetic profiles to the reference product Avastin when combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Comprehensive Genomic Features, Therapeutic Biomarkers Identified in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Investigators reported comprehensive genomic features of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, potentially giving providers a better understanding of the molecular features associated with the disease.
Vaccine Myths Detected as Major Reason for Low Vaccination Rates Among Patients With MS
Misconceptions about the safety and necessity of vaccines were cited as the main reasons for lower-than-recommended vaccination rates among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research.
MS Disability, Symptoms Are Worse in Non-White Patients, Study Finds
Non-white patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly African American and Hispanic American patients, were found to experience a higher level of overall disability and more severe symptoms, highlighting current disparities in this disease.
The Role of Liquid Biopsy in Determining Prognosis, Treatment in Surgical Oncology
A literature review detailed the multitude of ways that liquid biopsy can be used to aid the treatment of patients with cancer, including aiding in screening, recurrence surveillance, genomic profiling, and therapeutic decision-making.
Samsung Bioepis Releases Positive 5-Year Follow-up Results for Trastuzumab Biosimilar
Samsung Bioepis found during a 5-year follow-up study that Ontruzant, the company’s trastuzumab biosimilar, had comparable cardiac safety and long-term efficacy with the reference product Herceptin.
Prognostic Biomarkers Identified for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using Whole Genome Sequencing
Investigators identified 5 mutated genes that could serve as biomarkers for disease prognosis and clinical outcomes associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a common cancer with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis.
Study: COVID-19 Barriers Halted, Delayed Research on MS Rehabilitation, Quality of Life
In a survey, researchers indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extra barriers, including a lack of accessibility to patients and competing responsibilities, that have resulted in halts or delays to research on multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation and quality of life.
Back-to-School Virus Watch: Children Are at Risk for More Than Just COVID-19
Researchers have found that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused potentially millions of children to miss routine vaccines. During a time of back-to-school excitement and reversals of transmission prevention efforts in some states, children may be at risk of facing a slew of non-COVID-19 viral outbreaks.
Study: Serial Liquid Biopsy May Be Useful in Identifying RAS Genetic Mutations in mCRC
Investigators identified serial liquid biopsy as an effective tool for identifying mutational changes of RAS genes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have undergone antiangiogenic therapy.
Saudi Researchers Call for Greater Use of Trastuzumab Biosimilars to Offset Breast Cancer Costs
Switching from Herceptin (reference trastuzumab) to trastuzumab biosimilars could significantly reduce direct medication costs attributed to breast cancer management in Saudi Arabia, researchers concluded.
Study Reveals Poor Prognostic Factors Associated With DLBCL of the Urinary Tract
A recent study found that older age, male gender, lack of surgical resection or chemotherapy, and late-stage disease may be poor prognostic factors for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the urinary tract.
Foundation Medicine, Epic Partner on Access to Genomic Profiling in EHRs
Foundation Medicine and Epic struck a deal to integrate comprehensive genomic profiling within Epic's electronic health records (EHRs), allowing for providers to order and review genomic profiling tests, leading to more streamlined clinical decision making.
Study Finds Individuals Carry Genetic Variants for Actionable Monogenic Disorders
Approximately 1 in 6 healthy individuals who underwent proactive genetic screening had genetic variants linked to increased risk for developing medically actionable disorders, including certain cancers and cardiovascular disorders.
Study Confirms Overall Survival in DLBCL Is Comparable Between Rituximab Biosimilars and Rituxan
In comparison with reference rituximab (Rituxan), the use of rituximab biosimilars in combination therapy produced similar 3-year overall survival among patients with large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), investigators concluded.