Hematology

Patients with hematologic malignancies often receive intensive care at the end of life (EOL), but new research has demonstrated that hospice services and palliative care are associated with significantly improved EOL care quality.

February 20th 2019

Once-Weekly Carfilzomib Safe, Effective in All Age Groups of Patients With RRMM

Patients of all ages see benefits with once-weekly carfilzomib compared with a twice-weekly dose, according to an analysis of the phase 3 A.R.R.O.W. trial.

February 15th 2019

CMS Proposes That Patients Be Enrolled in Studies to Get Coverage for CAR T-Cell Therapy

Mary Caffrey Allison Inserro

The payment model will gather data that will be used to create a long-term model for patients not enrolled in studies or registries.

February 12th 2019

Preparing Patients and the Health System for Curative Therapies in the Pipeline

Experts at the “Paying for Cures: Ensuring patient access and system sustainability" event discussed how the healthcare system can pay for curative therapies that have high upfront costs with benefits that accrue over time.

February 10th 2019

Identifying Patient Preferences in MM Treatment Improves Shared Decision Making

Two studies presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition examined patient preferences in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment and the importance of understanding these preferences when making treatment decisions.

February 7th 2019

Ineligibility for Intensive Chemotherapy Impacts QoL Scores, Survival in AML

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy tend to have poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores that are independent predictors of poor survival, a recent study reported.

Obesity-Related Cancers Are on the Rise in Young Adults

February 7th 2019

Kelly Davio

A recent observational study, which used data covering more than half of the US population, found that the incidence of cancer linked to obesity is on the rise in young adults.

February 2nd 2019

Long Noncoding RNAs Contribute to Prominent Signaling Pathways in BCP-ALL

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of b-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) and contribute to the stratification of BCP-ALL subtypes, according to results from a recent study.

January 29th 2019

FDA Approves Ibrutinib Combination as Frontline Treatment for CLL

The approval marks the first non-chemotherapy combination regimen for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

January 26th 2019

Two Studies Look at Factors Impacting Response to Multiple Myeloma Treatment

Two recent studies analyzed patients with multiple myeloma to identify factors that impacted response to therapy.

January 22nd 2019

Treatment Advances Make Supportive Care More Important in Multiple Myeloma

As patients with multiple myeloma live longer thanks to advancements in treatments, more attention is being paid to treatment-related toxicities that are becoming more relevant.

January 19th 2019

Once-Weekly Carfilzomib Improves PFS, OS in High-Risk Patients With MM Over Twice-Weekly Dose

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities typically have shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with standard-risk patients. In an analysis of 2 studies, patients with high-risk MM had improved outcomes when taking carfilzomib once a week compared with a twice-weekly dose.

January 19th 2019

Policy

Updates from the annual ASH meeting, December 2018.

$Tisagenlecleucel Shows Promise for Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma$

January 17th 2019

Tisagenlecleucel Shows Promise for Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Published results confirm the efficacy of tisagenlecleucel in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

January 12th 2019

Maintenance Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Needs Improvement Beyond Lenalidomide, Study Says

Maintenance therapy with lenalidomide remains a standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma. However, optimizing maintenance therapy in this setting is required as a result of lenalidomide’s lack of overall survival benefit and improvement in outcomes for patients with high-risk cytogenic abnormalities, according to a recent study.

January 8th 2019

BMS, Celgene Discuss $74 Billion Acquisition During JP Morgan Healthcare Conference

Bristol-Meyers Squibb (BMS) and Celgene kicked off the 37th Annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference by discussing their leading drugs, near-term launches, and early pipeline assets.

January 5th 2019

Dr Brian Koffman: It Is Critical That Patients Educate Themselves and Leverage Their Advantages

As a physician, Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, DABFM, MS Ed, medical director, CLL Society, was able to leverage his medical and scientific knowledge during treatment for his chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and he encourages other patients to educate themselves on their illnesses in order to receive the best care.

January 5th 2019

Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Pediatric Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma

Pediatric patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma who are treated with chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, known as combined modality therapy, have an improved 5-year survival rate compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

January 4th 2019

Dr Elizabeth Griffiths Outlines Recent Approvals in AML

Elizabeth Griffiths, MD, associate professor of oncology, department of medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses recent approvals for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

December 29th 2018

Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors Have Increased Risk of Later Tumors

Children with Hodgkin lymphoma who are treated during childhood and survive to adulthood have higher incidence rates of breast, lung, colorectal, and thyroid cancer than the general population, according to a recent study.

December 29th 2018

Dr Alison Moskowitz Discusses Survival Disparities in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Patients who are over 60 with Hodgkin lymphoma have much lower survival rates than patients who are under 60, explained Alison J. Moskowitz, MD, medical oncologist, clinical director, lymphoma inpatient unit, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

December 28th 2018

Chemotherapy for Solid Tumors Associated With Increased Risk of AML, MDS

Patients who are treated with chemotherapy for their solid tumors have an increased risk of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (tMDS/AML) despite advances in chemotherapy regimens, according to a new study in JAMA Oncology.

December 20th 2018

Dr Brian Koffman Highlights Incredible Responses to CLL Treatments

There have been incredible responses to treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but there remains a tremendous unmet need for patients, said Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, DABFM, MS Ed, medical director, CLL Society.

December 20th 2018

Diabetes, Cancer Interviews Among Most-Watched Videos of 2018

Throughout the year, The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) offered a number of video programs, including Peer Exchange discussions and interviews, on a range of topics. Here are the most-watched videos published by AJMC® in 2018.

December 19th 2018

NCI Director Highlights a Year of Progress in Hematology, Outlines Areas of Focus Going Forward

During the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition held December 1-4 in San Diego, California, Norman Sharpless, MD, director, National Cancer Institute (NCI), brought attention to several advances made in hematologic malignancies over the past year and highlighted 4 areas of focus going forward.

December 13th 2018

Ibrutinib Regimens Have Superior PFS Compared With Chemoimmunotherapy in Older Patients With Untreated CLL

Ibrutinib-containing regimens have similar overall survival rates but significantly higher progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 2 years compared with bendamustine plus rituximab.

December 12th 2018

Myelofibrosis Survival After Discontinuing Ruxolitinib Differs Based on Reason for Discontinuation

Following failure with ruxolitinib, there are limited treatment options available and among these patients who fail on the treatment, prognosis is unfavorable, particularly among those who started ruxolitinib with advanced stage disease, according to a study presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition.

December 8th 2018

ELOQUENT-3: Adding Elotuzumab to Pomalidomide, Dexamethasone Improves PFS in R/R Multiple Myeloma

ELOQUENT-3 trial results found that adding elotuzumab to pomalidomide and dexamethasone improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate in patients with multiple myeloma that had relapsed from or were refractory to (R/R) lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor.

December 7th 2018

Ruxolitinib Results in Better Treatment Response, Less Toxicity in Early Primary Myelofibrosis

According to a study presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition, held December 1-4 in San Diego, California, a World Health Organization–defined diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis may help better identify patients who may need strict monitoring during treatment with ruxolitinib.

$FDA Approves Targeted Drug to Treat Relapsed or Refractory AML With FLT3 Mutation$

December 3rd 2018

FDA Approves Targeted Drug to Treat Relapsed or Refractory AML With FLT3 Mutation