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An investigational oral form of azacitidine (CC-486) as maintenance therapy induced a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with placebo in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who achieved a complete response or complete response with incomplete hematologic recovery after treatment with induction chemotherapy.

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The combination of duvelisib (Copiktra) plus venetoclax (Venclexta) is a promising all-oral regimen for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

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The combination of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax (Venclexta) and intensive chemotherapy has demonstrated notable results in fit patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to results from a phase 1b/2 single-center clinical trial presented at ASH 2019.

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A potent, oral small-molecule bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor—CPI-0610—improves spleen volume and symptoms when added to the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib (Jakafi) in ruxolitinib-­naïve patients with myelofibrosis. Ruxolitinib is the only FDA-approved treatment for myelofibrosis.

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Patients with anemia and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in whom first-line erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are not effective generally become transfusion dependent. Luspatercept-aamt (Reblozyl), a recombinant fusion protein that binds transforming growth factor beta superfamily ligands to reduce SMAD2 and SMAD3 signaling, was approved by the FDA in November 2019 and has been studied in this patient population with promising results.

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The discontinuation of oral oncology medications before the full-month supply has been finished results in medication waste, leading to increased costs for patients and for payers. Split fills allow for a 14- to 16-day supply for oral oncology medications rather than a full 28- to 30-day supply. Researchers compared the discontinuation rates, patient-reported adverse events, estimated pharmacy costs, and potential waste in patients with pharmacy benefit designs that included a split-fill option with patients who did not have this option (Staskon FC, et al. J Oncol Pract. 2019;15:e856-e862).

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Patient navigation is an increasingly recognized component of high-quality, patient-centered care. However, patient navigation in cancer programs is limited, often because of uncertainty about sustainable financial models to support these programs and defining the scope of practice. To demonstrate the benefits of patient navigation programs, researchers analyzed 5 real-world case studies (Kline RM, et al. J Oncol Pract. 2019;15:585-590).

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As we enter a new decade, we are seeing a widening gap between those who provide care and those who pay for care. This growing divergence is evidenced, in part, by the different sources being used for clinical pathways and authorized coverage for payment. Initially, payers tend to consider national guidelines, such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, as a starting point for acceptable treatment choices made by physicians, but then refer to internal policies or external vendors to narrow the parameters required for clinical and payment coverage. Read More ›

Tazemetostat, a first-in-class EZH2 inhibitor, has demonstrated single-agent antitumor activity in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, according to data presented at the 2019 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting. Results of a phase 2 clinical trial showed an overall response rate of 69% and 35% in mutant and wild-type cohorts, respectively. Clinical activity was durable across both cohorts, with patients on therapy up to 2 years and responses continuing to deepen over time, researchers in the study reported. Read More ›

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is now approved as third-line treatment for patients with B-cell lymphomas and leukemias. For some patients, CAR T-cell therapy is a miracle therapy, extending survival and, in some cases, as a bridge to a potentially curative transplant. But at an estimated cost of $375,000 to $475,000 per person, many people have questioned the value of this treatment, and whether it can be delivered effectively to patients not enrolled in clinical trials. Read More ›