March 2022, Vol 12, No 3

With better insights into the biology of cancer and other diseases, genetic medicine is entering “a whole new ballgame,” said Scott Gottlieb, MD, Former FDA Commissioner, during the keynote session at the 11th Annual Summit of the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care in 2021. Read More ›

The addition of isatuximab (Sarclisa) to the triplet of lenalidomide (Revlimid), bortezomib (Velcade), and dexamethasone (RVd) achieved superior minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rates versus standard therapy with RVd alone as induction treatment in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, according to results of the phase 3 GMMG-HD7 clinical trial presented at the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. Read More ›

The investigational oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) elacestrant (RAD1901) significantly reduced the risk for death or disease progression and improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with standard of care (SOC) endocrine therapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-­positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who had progressed on previous endocrine and targeted therapies, according to results of the phase 3 EMERALD clinical trial. Read More ›

Community-based providers remain at the core of the oncology care delivery system. A panel moderated by Barbara McAneny, MD, Chief Executive Officer, New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants, Albuquerque, at the 11th Annual Summit of the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care in 2021 explored the road ahead for community practices in terms of balancing value and delivering optimal access to care for patients. Read More ›

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring IDH1 mutations who were not suitable for intensive chemotherapy had improved event-free survival and overall survival (OS) with the combination of ivosidenib (Tibsovo) plus azacitidine (Onureg) versus azacitidine plus placebo, according to results of the phase 3 AGILE trial presented at the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. Read More ›

Claim denials can have a significant negative impact on a medical practice, and the management of these denials remains an essential component of any solid revenue cycle plan. It is impor­tant to point out that this involves more than just resubmittals and appeals; practices should aim to prevent as many denials as possible from the start and then efficiently manage the ones that could not be prevented. In this article, I will discuss how grouping denial codes can provide valuable data that can be used to adopt a prevention-focused claim denials management process. Read More ›

On January 25, 2022, the FDA accelerated the approval of tebentafusp-tebn (Kimmtrak; Immunocore), a bispecific gp100 peptide-HLA–­directed CD3 T-cell engager, for the treatment of adults with HLA-A*02:01 unresectable or metastatic uveal (intraocular) melanoma. The FDA granted tebentafusp breakthrough therapy and orphan drug designations for this indication. Read More ›