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Who We Are Founded in 1974, the Association of Community Cancer Centers is the nation’s premier education and advocacy organization for the oncology team. ACCC helps oncology professionals adapt to the complex challenges of program management, cuts in reimbursement, hospital consolidation, and legislation and regulations that threaten to compromise the delivery of quality cancer care. ACCC Institution/Group Practice members include more than 650 medical centers, hospitals, oncology practices, and cancer programs across the United States. In addition, many state oncology societies, physician groups, medical and radiation oncologists, and others associated with cancer care, have chosen to become members. And their numbers continue to climb. Together, our group of organizations sees about 60 percent of all new cancer patients in the United States each year. |
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| Soltamox: | |
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Cytogen Corporation announced that Soltamox™ (tamoxifen citrate, oral solution 10mg/5mL), the first liquid form of the hormonal breast cancer therapy tamoxifen, is currently being introduced in the United States and is available in U.S. pharmacies nationwide. Soltamox received U.S. FDA marketing approval in October 2005 and is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women who are at risk for the disease. |
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| Aranesp: | |
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Amgen announced the launch of the Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) prefilled SureClick™ autoinjector for patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia and anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The Aranesp prefilled SureClick autoinjector includes a safety cover that limits needle exposure before and after the subcutaneous injection, two audible clicks to announce the beginning and end of the injection, and a large inspection window that confirms it automatically delivered the complete injection. |
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| Velcade: | |
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The FDA has granted priority review to Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Velcade® (Bortezomib) for Injection for treatment of relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. The sNDA submission was based on final Phase II data from the PINNACLE study, which showed a 33 percent overall response rate and an 8 percent complete response rate. Importantly, the median duration of response was 9.2 months, and 13.5 months in patients who achieved a complete response. These results are similar to those of four investigator initiated Phase II clinical trials where overall response rates of 30 to 40 percent with single-agent VELCADE were established. |
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| Dacogen: | |
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MGI Pharma, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Dacogen™ (decitabine) for injection orphan drug designation for the indication of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dacogen is a hypomethylating agent that is believed to exert its antioneoplastic effects by incorporation into DNA and inhibition of an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase. |
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| Hsp90: | |
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MedImmune, Inc., and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that they have entered into an agreement to jointly develop and commercialize novel small molecule cancer drugs targeting Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) and the Hedgehog cell-signaling pathway. In pre-clinical studies, Hsp90 and the Hedgehog pathway appear to be implicated in the growth and survival of a broad range of blood-related and solid tumor types. IPI-504, the most advanced of the drug candidates included in the agreement, is an Hsp90 inhibitor that has thus far been studied in two disease-focused Phase I trials. In collaboration with Infinity, MedImmune plans to accelerate development of the intravenous formulation of IPI-504, as well as to expand into additional tumor types. In addition, the company expects to be able to commence clinical testing of the next generation oral formulation of IPI-504, as well as an oral formulation of a Hedgehog inhibitor within the next 12 to 18 months. |
| Trisenox: | |
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Cephalon Oncology has launched a new reimbursement support program called CORE, Cephalon Oncology Reimbursement Expertise. CORE supports Cephalon Oncology’s product TRISENOX® (arsenic trioxide). Assistance from CORE can be accessed by calling toll free at 1.866.261.7730 or by using the CORE website found at www.cephalononcologycore.com. CORE services are provided to both healthcare professionals and patients. For oncology practices, CORE can provide benefit verifications, coding and claims support, letter of medical necessity templates, assistance in locating relevant medical literature, access to the Cephalon Oncology Patient Assistance Program and appeals support. |
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