In March 2019, ACCC hosted a Deep Dive Workshop on Real World Immuno-Oncology: A Multidisciplinary Look at Survivorship, irAEs, and Step Therapy. The workshop was held during the ACCC 45th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
Two sessions during the workshop focused on step therapy. To frame the discussion, Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, Clinical Coordinator, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, presented on Case Studies: Introduction to Step Therapy. Following Dr. McBride's presentation, a multidisciplinary panel shared their perspectives on the real-world impact of utilization of step therapy in oncology, along with current and future implications of increasing requirement for step edits. Panelists included a patient advocate who has received immunotherapy treatments and has first-hand experience with the challenges "fail first" therapy may present for patients with cancer.
At podium, Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP; panelists (seated L to R) Jenny Ahlstrom, Patient Advocate; Laura Wood, RN, MSN, OCN; Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, FACP; Jennie R. Crews, MD, MMM, FACP.
Dr. McBride is ACCC President 2019-2020. Jenny Ahlstrom is a myeloma patient and Founder of The Myeloma CrowdCare Foundation. Laura Wood is Renal Cancer Research Coordinator, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. Dr. Spira is Medical Oncologist/Director VCS Research Institute & Phase I Trial Program, Virginia Cancer Specialists. Dr. Crews is Medical Director, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Network; Medical Director, Research Integration, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Washington.
This project is sponsored by Amgen.
Although cost containment is necessary in today’s healthcare system, the increased use of step therapy for cancer drugs is raising concern among oncologists and patients. If a payer-mandated step therapy leads to poor outcomes, patient care can suffer.
