June 2011, Vol 2, No 3

Frank discussions with patients about their advanced cancer are challenging for physicians and their patients; however, avoiding such interactions is not a viable option, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

There is no end in sight to the rising cost of fighting cancer, according to Medco’s 2011 Drug Trend Report (www.drugtrendreport.com/2011-report), which forecasted the cost of cancer drugs will grow 34% to 42% over the next 3 years.

A new analysis of the Humana database shows that the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) molecular assay (OncotypeDX; Genomic Health) leads to targeted management of early-stage breast cancer and reduces payer’s costs (Hornberger J, et al. J Oncol Pract. 2011;7[3s]:e38s-e45s).

Orlando, FL—Lung cancer studies made news at the 2011 American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting.

Chicago, IL—One of every 10 patients with cancer abandons new prescriptions for oral oncolytics, according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2011 annual meeting and concurrently published in the Journal of Oncology Practice (Streeter SB, et al. 2011; 7:46-51).

Chicago, IL—Exemestane (Aromasin) appears to be a good alternative to tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for prevention of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to results of the randomized, placebo-controlled MAP.3 trial reported at ASCO 2011.

New understanding of the mechanism of cancer as genetic and molecular cancer–causing lesions has enabled the development of targeted therapies that are producing excellent results in early clinical trials.

The Florida Comprehensive Care Network (FCCN), a statewide network of medical and radiation oncologists providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to patients with cancer, has signed an agreement with ITA Partners that allows FCCN to use ITA’s oncology decision-support platform (called eviti) across its network of oncologists.

A new report published in March in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2011;103:714-736) shows slow but consistent reductions in some cancer types in men and women between 2003 and 2007, the most recent years for which data are available.

Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, identified 2 regulatory molecules that enable a tumor, which originally is usually not deadly, to metastasize.