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Oncology Newsfeed

  • FDA Approves Sacituzumab Govitecan-hziy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

    On April 7, 2021 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted regular approval to sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.

    Read the FDA announcement.

    Read the Gilead Sciences announcement.

    Posted 4/8/2021



  • AONN+ Leadership Council Shares Need for Complete Cancer Care Team

    On March 30, 2021, the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) Leadership Council released key reasons why cancer care teams should be protected and thoughtful investment strategies for cancer programs and practices to help remain strong as they recover from the pandemic. After closely reviewing the pandemic's impact on cancer care delivery in 2020, the Leadership Council devised key reasoning for protecting the cancer care team and service line:

    • Newly diagnosed patient volumes will increase along with diagnoses of advanced disease
    • Cancer service line revenues will be impacted if care organization is not streamlined and efficient
    • The navigation team (e.g., navigators, social workers, etc.) will be difficult to reassemble
    • Navigation can address cancer disparities.
    "With new testing and mitigation strategies being implemented and improved access to vaccines on the horizon, now is the time to proactively plan for the near future. With proper and realistic planning, members of the cancer care team can be well-positioned to serve their patients with cancer and their families as the pandemic begins to subside."

    The AONN+ Leadership Council is led by Christian Downs, executive director of the Association of Community Cancer Centers, with support from Linda Fleisher, principal investigator at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Lillie Shockney, co-founder of AONN+, Rani Khetarpal, vice president of Provider Partnerships at New Century Health, and Mandi Pratt-Chapman, associate center director of Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity at George Washington Cancer Center.

    For more information on the Leadership Councils' tips for a strong cancer care team post-pandemic, read the full announcement.

    Posted 4/7/2021



  • FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Designation to miR Scientific Assay

    On October 13, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted miR Scientific's miR Sentinel™ PCC4 Assay (miR Sentinel™ Prostate Test) breakthrough device designation. The miR Sentinel™ Prostate Test is a new method to analyze small non-coding RNAs from a non-invasive urine specimen from age-eligible men.

    Read the company's announcement

    Posted 4/6/2021



  • CMS Releases New Billing Codes for April 2021

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released six new billing codes for oncology-related products. These codes start April 1, 2021. The products, their associated codes, billing units, and Medicare payment limits are:

    April 2021 New Billing Codes

    Posted 4/5/2021



  • FDA Approves Isatuximab in Combination for R/R Multiple Myeloma

    On March 31, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved isatuximab in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy.

    Read the FDA announcement.

    Read the Sanofi announcement.

    Posted 4/1/2021



  • Eisai and Advocacy Leaders Launch Initiative to Highlight Edometrial Cancer

    On March 31, 2021 Eisai Inc. and advocacy leaders announced that they have teamed up to launch Spot Her, an initiative to end the silence around endometrial cancer and inspire women to listen, advocate, and put their health and the health of other women first, including helping women spot the signs of early endometrial cancer.The Spot Her initiative aims to embrace the power of every woman’s voice to take a stand on this important women’s health issue by providing support through education, resources, and strength through community.

    For more information on this initiative, visit Spot Her.

    Posted 4/1/2021



  • FDA Approves Daunorubicin + Cytarabine for Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia

    On March 30, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the revised label for daunorubicin and cytarabine to include a new indication to treat newly-diagnosed therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes in pediatric patients aged one year and older.

    Read the Jazz Pharmaceuticals announcement.

    Posted 3/31/2021


  • FDA Approves Idecabtagene Vicleucel for R/R Multiple Myeloma

    On March 26, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved idecabtagene vicleucel as the first B-cell maturation antigen directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

    Read the FDA announcement.

    Read the Bristol Myers Squibb announcement.

    Read the bluebird bio, Inc. announcement.

    Posted 3/29/21



  • Bayer Announces No-Cost Genetic Testing Programs for NTRK Gene Fusions

    On March 23, 2021, Bayer announced that it is collaborating with NeoGenomics, Tempus, and Veracyte to sponsor genomic cancer testing for actionable alterations, including NTRK gene fusions. These programs are available to eligible patients at no cost. Bayer will cover the full cost of the test regardless of the results, patient’s insurance coverage, and resulting treatment decision. 

    Eligibility includes patients with RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma and metastatic colorectal cancer with high microsatellite instability.

    Enrollment for the the programs is available for a limited time, and these genomic testing programs include:

    Visit each program's website for more information. 

    Posted 3/24/2021





  • FDA Approves Pembrolizumab for Esophageal or GEJ Carcinoma

    On March 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pembrolizumab in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation.

    Read the FDA announcement.

    Read Merck's announcement.

    Posted 3/23/2021