Provider perceptions of barriers to biosimilar utilization in community oncology practices.

Background: Biosimilars reduce the burden of cost on patients and payers, and so doing, increase access to life-saving care. However, biosimilar uptake in the US has been inconsistent.

Objectives: This study assessed provider perceptions of barriers to biosimilar use and their relationships to utilization rates in a large, national oncology network and examined if perceptions differed by demographic and practice characteristics.

Opening the black box: the impact of an oncology management program consisting of level I pathways and an outbound nurse call system.

Purpose: The Innovent Oncology Program aims to improve the value of cancer care delivered to patients. McKesson Specialty Health and Texas Oncology (TXO) collaborated with Aetna to launch a pilot program. The study objectives were to evaluate the impact of Innovent on Level I Pathway compliance, implement the Patient Support Services program, and measure the rate and costs associated with chemotherapy-related emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions.

Benchmarks for value in cancer care: an analysis of a large commercial population.

Purpose: Cancer costs are increasing at an unprecedented rate. Key cost drivers include chemotherapy, hospital admissions/emergency room visits, and aggressive end-of-life care. We sought to evaluate these costs in a commercial payer population in collaboration with consultants from Milliman.

Pathways, outcomes, and costs in colon cancer: retrospective evaluations in two distinct databases.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to use two separate databases to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the economic impact of adherence to Level I Pathways, an evidence-based oncology treatment program in the treatment of colon cancer.

Patients And Methods: The first study used clinical records from an electronic health record (EHR) database to evaluate survival according to pathway status in patients with colon cancer. Disease-free survival in patients receiving adjuvant treatment and overall survival in patients receiving first-line therapy for metastatic disease was calculated.

Pathways, outcomes, and costs in colon cancer: retrospective evaluations in 2 distinct databases.

Objective: The goal of this study was to use 2 separate databases to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the economic impact of adherence to Level I Pathways, an evidence-based oncology treatment program in the treatment of colon cancer.

Patients And Methods: The first study used clinical records from an electronic health record (EHR) database to evaluate survival according to pathway status in patients with colon cancer. Disease-free survival in patients receiving adjuvant treatment and overall survival in patients receiving first-line therapy for metastatic disease was calculated.

Pemetrexed therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Objective: To review pemetrexed, a novel multi-targeted antifolate agent.

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted (1985-September 2004) using MEDLINE and CANCERLIT. Recent abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology were also included, along with the manufacturer's information.