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