http://ascoaction.asco.org RSS feeds for ASCO in Action 60 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/484/Apply-Now-for-the-New-ASCO-Quality-Training-Program.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=484 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=484&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/484/Apply-Now-for-the-New-ASCO-Quality-Training-Program.aspx ASCO is establishing the Quality Training Program to teach oncology providers to lead successful quality improvement activities in their practice settings. This six-month program begins in the fall and will offer comprehensive education and training for 15 interdisciplinary oncology teams. Communications Team Mon, 20 May 2013 11:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:484 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/483/Cancer-Organizations-Recognize-Sen-Shelby-and-Rep-DeLauro-for-Commitment-to-Cancer-Research.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=483 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=483&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/483/Cancer-Organizations-Recognize-Sen-Shelby-and-Rep-DeLauro-for-Commitment-to-Cancer-Research.aspx The American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and Friends of Cancer Research recognized Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) for their outstanding commitment to cancer research and leadership in funding for biomedical science. Communications Team Thu, 16 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:483 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/482/FDA-Approves-Xofigo-for-Castration-Resistant-Prostate-Cancer.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=482 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=482&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/482/FDA-Approves-Xofigo-for-Castration-Resistant-Prostate-Cancer.aspx On May 15, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved radium Ra 223 dichloride (Xofigo Injection, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.) for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease. Xofigo is an alpha-particle emitting radiotherapeutic drug which mimics calcium and forms complexes with hydroxyapatite at areas of increased bone turnover, such as bone metastases. The approval was based on a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease. Patients were allocated 2:1 to Xofigo, 50 kBq/kg (1.35 microcurie/kg), intravenously, every 4 weeks for 6 cycles plus best standard of care (N=541) or to matching placebo plus best standard of care (N=268).  Best standard of care included local radiotherapy, corticosteroids, anti-androgens, estrogens, estramustine or ketoconazole. All patients were to continue androgen deprivation therapy. The median age was 71 years, 94% were Caucasian, 86% had an ECOG performance status of 0-1, and 58% had received prior docetaxel. Fifty-four percent of patients used opiate and 44% used non-opiate pain medications. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. At the pre-specified interim analysis, a statistically significant improvement in OS was demonstrated [HR 0.70 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.88), p = 0.00185]. The median OS was 14.0 and 11.2 months in the Xofigo and placebo arms, respectively. The improvement in OS was supported by a delay in time- to- first symptomatic skeletal event favoring the Xofigo arm.  The most common (greater than or equal to 10%) adverse reactions in patients receiving Xofigo were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and peripheral edema. The most common (greater than or equal to 10%) hematologic laboratory abnormalities were anemia, lymphocytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. Two percent of patients on the Xofigo arm experienced bone marrow failure or ongoing pancytopenia. No patients on the placebo arm experienced bone marrow failure or pancytopenia. The recommended dose and schedule for Xofigo is 50 kBq/kg (1.35 microcuries/kg) administered by slow intravenous injection over 1 minute every 4 weeks for 6 doses.  See FDA's full prescribing information for further details. As a service to members, ASCO in Action reports recent FDA approvals and other important FDA actions pertaining to therapies for cancer patients. In reporting this information, ASCO does not endorse any product or therapy, and does not take any position on the safety or efficacy of the product or therapy described. For a complete listing of FDA-approved oncology drugs, visit the FDA Approved Oncology Drug website. Communications Team Wed, 15 May 2013 17:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:482 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/481/FDA-Approves-Erlotinib-for-First-Line-Treatment-of-Metastatic-NSCLC.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=481 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=481&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/481/FDA-Approves-Erlotinib-for-First-Line-Treatment-of-Metastatic-NSCLC.aspx On May 14, 2013, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved erlotinib (Tarceva®, Astellas Pharma Inc.) for the first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. This indication for erlotinib is being approved concurrently with the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test, a companion diagnostic test for patient selection. The approval was based on the results of a randomized, multicenter, open label trial comparing erlotinib (n=86) to platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (n=88) in patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors had EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations determined by a clinical trial assay (CTA). Eligible patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive erlotinib, 150 mg/day orally, or platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. Randomization was stratified by EGFR mutation (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 (L858R) substitution) and ECOG PS (0 vs. 1 vs. 2). Tumor samples from 134 patients were tested retrospectively by the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test. The trial's primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR).The median age of patients was 65 years.  The majority of the patients were female (72%), Caucasian (99%), never-smokers (69%), and had adenocarcinoma histology (93%). The median PFS was 10.4 months in the erlotinib arm and 5.2 months in the platinum-based chemotherapy arm [HR 0.34 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.49), p <0.001]. The median OS was 22.9 months in the erlotinib arm and 19.5 months in the platinum-based chemotherapy arm [HR 0.93 (95% CI: 0.64, 1.35), p=0.6482].  The ORR was 65% in the erlotinib arm and 16% in the platinum-based chemotherapy arm. The majority of the patients in the platinum-based chemotherapy arm (82%) subsequently received an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor following investigator-determined disease progression. Analysis of PFS in the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test positive patients was consistent with the primary analysis. The most frequent (greater than or equal to 30%) adverse reactions of any grade in the erlotinib arm were rash, diarrhea, asthenia, cough, dyspnea and decreased appetite. The most frequent (greater than or equal to 5%) grade 3-4 adverse reactions in the erlotinib arm were rash and diarrhea. The recommended daily dose of erlotinib for NSCLC is 150 mg taken orally at least one hour before or two hours after the ingestion of food. Treatment should continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.   See FDA's full prescribing information. As a service to members, ASCO in Action reports recent FDA approvals and other important FDA actions pertaining to therapies for cancer patients. In reporting this information, ASCO does not endorse any product or therapy, and does not take any position on the safety or efficacy of the product or therapy described. For a complete listing of FDA-approved oncology drugs, visit the FDA Approved Oncology Drug website. Communications Team Wed, 15 May 2013 17:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:481 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/480/ASCO-Members-Take-to-Capitol-Hill-on-Cancer-Research-Funding.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=480 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=480&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/480/ASCO-Members-Take-to-Capitol-Hill-on-Cancer-Research-Funding.aspx ASCO, along with the American Association for Cancer Research, the Association of American Cancer Institutes and Friends of Cancer Research, is holding an advocacy day on Capitol Hill this week to advocate for sustained funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. Communications Team Tue, 14 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:480 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/479/ASCO-Sequestration-Impact-Survey-One-Month-Out-Sequestration-Affecting-Care-of-Medicare-Cancer-Patients.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=479 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=479&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/479/ASCO-Sequestration-Impact-Survey-One-Month-Out-Sequestration-Affecting-Care-of-Medicare-Cancer-Patients.aspx A new ASCO survey of U.S. oncology practices shows the automatic two percent budget cut to Medicare chemotherapy drug reimbursement under sequestration is already having a significant impact on care for people with cancer just one month after the federal funding reduction went into effect. Communications Team Fri, 10 May 2013 12:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:479 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/478/ASCO-Supports-Legislation-Repealing-IPAB.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=478 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=478&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/478/ASCO-Supports-Legislation-Repealing-IPAB.aspx In letters to bill sponsors, Representatives Phil Roe, MD (R-Tenn.) Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.), ASCO is supporting the “Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act,” which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The IPAB, created by the Affordable Care Act, is a 15-member panel charged with the authority to make targeted cuts to Medicare, including payments to physicians, if the program’s overall costs rise faster than a certain rate. Communications Team Thu, 09 May 2013 17:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:478 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/477/CMS-Revises-NCCI-Edits-on-CPT-Code-96361.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=477 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=477&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/477/CMS-Revises-NCCI-Edits-on-CPT-Code-96361.aspx Practices who have received a denial for add-on code 96361 will have the opportunity to appeal the denial or resubmit their claims after July 1 due to revisions by the agency. Communications Team Thu, 09 May 2013 12:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:477 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/476/ASCO-Responds-to-SGR-Legislation.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=476 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=476&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/476/ASCO-Responds-to-SGR-Legislation.aspx In a letter to Reps. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) and Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), co-sponsors of the Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act, ASCO applauds the legislation for proposing to repeal the sustainable growth rate and reform the Medicare reimbursement system. The bill also averts scheduled reimbursement cuts for 2014, expands testing of new payment models and provides options for physicians to transition to new payment models. Communications Team Wed, 08 May 2013 18:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:476 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/475/Coalition-Asks-Congressional-Appropriators-for-32-Billion-for-NIH.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=475 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=475&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/475/Coalition-Asks-Congressional-Appropriators-for-32-Billion-for-NIH.aspx One Voice Against Cancer, a coalition of public interest groups—including ASCO—representing millions of cancer researchers, physicians, patients, and survivors, sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittees advocating for at least $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2014. “OVAC recognizes that Congress has a difficult task in balancing competing budget priorities. However, the current cuts to existing cancer research and prevention programs risk us losing the progress made during the past few years and could cause lasting harm to cancer patients and their families,” the April 30 letter said. “We ask that you restore the funding lost over the past year and work to put these programs on a path toward sustainable growth.” OVAC’s request for NIH includes $5.24 billion for the National Cancer Institute. Communications Team Tue, 07 May 2013 22:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:475 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/474/ASCO-President-Swain-Submits-Written-Testimony-to-Congress-on-FDA-Funding.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=474 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=474&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/474/ASCO-President-Swain-Submits-Written-Testimony-to-Congress-on-FDA-Funding.aspx In written testimony to Congress on April 26, ASCO President Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP, urged legislators to support a “strong federal investment” in FDA for FY14 to help the agency fulfill its critical public health mission. The testimony was submitted to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP  President American Society of Clinical Oncology  Written Testimony prepared for:  Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies  Regarding funding for the Food and Drug Administration for FY 2014  April 24, 2013  The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s leading professional organization representing more than 30,000 physicians and other professionals who treat people with cancer, urges the subcommittee to provide a strong investment in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fiscal year 2014 (FY14). ASCO joins the community in respectfully requesting $2.6 billion in FY14 budget authority for the FDA. A strong FDA is vital to ensuring access to high quality cancer care and life-saving treatments.  The FDA has broad and significant responsibilities. It oversees roughly 25 percent of all consumer spending in the United States (US), including 100 percent of drugs, vaccines, medical supplies, and personal care products and 80 percent of our nation’s food supply. For cancer patients, the FDA ensures that chemotherapy drugs are safe and available while shepherding safe and effective ground-breaking treatments to market with the appropriate risk-benefit analysis. In 2012, FDA issued final regulations that establish standards for testing the effectiveness and requiring accurate labeling of sunscreen products that are key to cancer prevention. The FDA also regulates the in vitro diagnostic tests that are necessary to optimally deliver a new generation of highly targeted cancer drugs.  FDA already performs its work with relatively few resources, yet its responsibilities grow each year. Due to globalization, many of the FDA-regulated products that were made in the US are now produced overseas. Drug importation is growing at about 13 percent annually. Approximately 80 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients and 40 percent of finished drugs are now manufactured abroad. The FDA is responsible for monitoring the quality of the raw materials and finished products that result from the complex global system. This responsibility alone is enormously resource intensive.  Yet Congress continues to ask the agency to do more. Since 2009, Congress has assigned the FDA with many new and additional responsibilities through the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (2009), the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (2010), the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act (2010), the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act (2010), the Food Safety Modernization Act (2011), and the FDA Safety and Innovation Act, or FDASIA (2012).  Congress passed FDASIA in 2012, reauthorizing the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992. Congress also re-authorized the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and the Pediatric Research Equity Act. These laws expanded the FDA’s regulatory responsibilities and mandated an increased level of coordination among the various stakeholders in the drug manufacturing and utilization system. Congress currently is considering a number of new FDA-related proposals, covering topics such as regulation of medical mobile apps, bio-security, track and trace of drug products, and the quality of compounded drugs.  As the scientific complexity of foods, drugs and other products we consume grows, so do FDA’s responsibilities. This is particularly true in the field of oncology. As we understand more about the diseases known as cancer on a molecular level, we are able to develop targeted therapies that can produce long term remissions for many cancer patients. Cancer patients rely on the ongoing efforts of the FDA to grant timely approval of innovative, new medicines, some with companion diagnostics, for patients with important unmet medical needs while maintaining high standards for safety and efficacy.  The Vital Role of FDA in Cancer Drug Development  There are 12 million cancer survivors alive in the US today and this number is growing in no small part because of the new treatments FDA approves. ASCO has been particularly appreciative of and impressed by the work of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products (OHOP) led by Dr. Richard Pazdur. OHOP is responsible for making safe and effective drugs for cancer and hematologic conditions available to the American public. OHOP oversees review, approval, and regulation of drug treatments for cancer, therapeutic biologic treatments for cancer, therapies for prevention of cancer, and products for treatment of nonmalignant hematologic conditions.  OHOP had the highest number of new drug approvals of any therapeutic category in 2012 while operating at a funding level that did not reflect a higher workload relative to other offices. OHOP is committed to facilitating rapid development, review, and action on promising new cancer therapies. Scientists within OHOP are working intensively on incorporating innovations in pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, and clinical trial design into the drug review process. These efforts provide the basis for accelerating introduction of new treatments for cancer into practice. ASCO applauds the work of OHOP’s 130 highly trained and dedicated employees. ASCO is concerned, however, about the ability of the FDA in general and the OHOP specifically to continue to expand the scope and quality of their work with shrinking resources. This is not an area in which Congress can afford to cut corners; lives are on the line in this endeavor.  The Vital Role of FDA in Preventing and Mitigating Cancer Drug Shortages  Like many specialties, oncology has faced a recent crisis of life-saving therapeutics not being available because of drug shortages. ASCO has worked closely with the FDA’s Office of Drug Shortages to deal with these crises and to help cancer patients get access to the drugs they so vitally need. This small office has been particularly overburdened by the increasing number of drugs that have been unavailable in the last two to three years. In part because of their determined efforts, we have seen new shortages decrease from the highs reached in 2011. Despite improvement, existing shortages remain unresolved and the problem is far from being solved. The FDA needs sufficient resources to continue to address drug shortages.  The Need to Fund an Already Overburdened Agency  The FDA is consistently asked to do more with less. Sequestration is the immediate threat to the FDA’s already-inadequate funding. Under sequestration, the agency is losing 5.1 percent of its current year budget. Worse still, the Office of Management and Budget has testified that the actual impact is closer to 9 percent. This is a cut of approximately $209 million.  This cut comes at a time when the FDA is implementing a new Breakthrough Therapy designation to expedite development and review of promising new therapies. Early evidence must demonstrate that these treatments may have substantial improvement over available therapy. The designation involves earlier and more frequent interactions with FDA staff. In the first quarter of 2013 alone, the FDA received 24 requests for the designation and granted 8 – many for new cancer treatments. The FDA is also working closely with the scientific community to evaluate new surrogate endpoints to enable accelerated approval of cancer therapies.  ASCO is concerned that sequestration could cause slower approval of new and potentially life-saving drugs, a decreased ability to monitor food and drug safety, and an inability to keep up with advancing science and technology.  ASCO urges the subcommittee to provide a strong investment in the FDA for FY14 to help the agency fulfill its critical public health mission.  Communications Team Sun, 05 May 2013 15:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:474 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/473/ASCO-Responds-to-House-SGR-Proposal.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=473 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=473&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/473/ASCO-Responds-to-House-SGR-Proposal.aspx The House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees recently requested feedback from ASCO and other medical societies on its second draft of their sustainable growth rate reform proposal. ASCO’s response underscores the importance of physician leadership and testing in the areas of quality measurement and development of new payment models as part of SGR reform. Communications Team Wed, 01 May 2013 14:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:473 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/472/SCOTUS-Rejects-Challenge-to-Graphic-Warning-Labels-for-Cigarettes.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=472 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=472&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/472/SCOTUS-Rejects-Challenge-to-Graphic-Warning-Labels-for-Cigarettes.aspx The U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected the tobacco industry's challenge to a federal law that would require graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging.  Communications Team Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:472 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/471/Congress-Must-Reverse-Devastating-Budget-Cuts-to-Cancer-Care.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=471 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=471&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/471/Congress-Must-Reverse-Devastating-Budget-Cuts-to-Cancer-Care.aspx Today, out of concern for public safety, Congress provided the Federal Aviation Administration enhanced flexibility in application of sequestration related cuts, including reversal of furlough requirements imposed on air traffic controllers. Individuals with cancer deserve no less.   Communications Team Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:471 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/470/ASCO-Comments-on-NCIs-Proposed-Community-Oncology-Research-Program.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=470 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=470&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/470/ASCO-Comments-on-NCIs-Proposed-Community-Oncology-Research-Program.aspx ASCO has submitted comments to the National Cancer Institute on its proposed NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), which would integrate three current NCI programs: the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP), the Minority-Based CCOP (MB-CCOP), and the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP). Communications Team Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:470 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/469/ASCO-Oncology-Community-Praise-Lawmakers-for-Urging-CMS-to-Examine-Impact-of-Sequester-Cuts-on-Medicare-Patients.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=469 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=469&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/469/ASCO-Oncology-Community-Praise-Lawmakers-for-Urging-CMS-to-Examine-Impact-of-Sequester-Cuts-on-Medicare-Patients.aspx ASCO along with the Community Oncology Alliance, ION Solutions and The US Oncology Network commended a bipartisan group of 124 lawmakers in the U.S House of Representatives who sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expressing concern that Medicare cuts to critical cancer medications, which took effect on April 1 as part of the budget sequester. Communications Team Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:469 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/468/ASCO-Releases-New-Conflict-of-Interest-Policy.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=468 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=468&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/468/ASCO-Releases-New-Conflict-of-Interest-Policy.aspx ASCO has released its new conflict of interest policy, ASCO Policy for Relationships With Companies, which updates its earlier policy in key ways that are designed to increase transparency in relationships with commercial interests. Communications Team Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:468 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/467/ASCO-Endorses-Bill-Reversing-Chemotherapy-Sequestration-Cuts.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=467 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=467&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/467/ASCO-Endorses-Bill-Reversing-Chemotherapy-Sequestration-Cuts.aspx Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) has introduced legislation that would reverse the sequester cuts that have led some oncology practices to reconsider accepting Medicare patients. Several reports indicate the reductions from this cut are impacting reimbursement both for services and chemotherapy drugs, effectively decreasing Part B drug reimbursement from ASP+6 percent to ASP+4.3 percent. Communications Team Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:467 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/465/A-Spotlight-on-the-ASCO-Cancer-Research-Committee.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=465 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=465&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/465/A-Spotlight-on-the-ASCO-Cancer-Research-Committee.aspx The following profile of ASCO’s Cancer Research Committee is the second in a series of articles to help ASCO members better understand the role that volunteers serve and the critical work in which committee members are engaged. Communications Team Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:12:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:465 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/466/ASCOOncology-Nursing-Society-Issues-Oral-Chemotherapy-Administration-Safety-Standards.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=466 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=466&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/466/ASCOOncology-Nursing-Society-Issues-Oral-Chemotherapy-Administration-Safety-Standards.aspx ASCO and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) recently updated their chemotherapy administration safety standards to include oral chemotherapy.  Communications Team Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:466 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/464/Innovative-Delaware-Program-Dramatically-Reduces-Colorectal-Cancer-Disparities-Mortality-Rates-Among-African-American-Patients.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=464 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=464&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/464/Innovative-Delaware-Program-Dramatically-Reduces-Colorectal-Cancer-Disparities-Mortality-Rates-Among-African-American-Patients.aspx A study analyzing the impact of the Delaware Cancer Consortium, the state’s cancer control program, reports a 41 percent reduction in colorectal mortality rates for African Americans. The study, published April 15 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, provides analysis on a novel design and approach used to eliminate colorectal cancer disparities for the first time by a state cancer control program. Communications Team Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:464 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/463/ASCO-Recommends-QOPI-as-Model-Clinical-Registry.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=463 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=463&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/463/ASCO-Recommends-QOPI-as-Model-Clinical-Registry.aspx ASCO has formally recommended that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services use the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative® (QOPI) as a model clinical registry through which practices can meet their Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) requirements. The society made this recommendation in submitted comments in response to the agency’s request for information on how practices can meet their PQRS requirements by participating in clinical registries. Communications Team Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:463 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/462/Tell-Your-Member-of-Congress-to-Join-Effort-in-Investigating-Sequestration-Impact-on-Cancer-Care.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=462 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=462&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/462/Tell-Your-Member-of-Congress-to-Join-Effort-in-Investigating-Sequestration-Impact-on-Cancer-Care.aspx Representatives Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and Gene Green (D-Texas) are asking fellow members of Congress to sign a bipartisan letter that seeks more information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the impact of sequestration on chemotherapy drugs. Communications Team Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:462 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/461/President-Obama-FY-2014-Budget-Proposal--Statement-by-ASCO-President-Sandra-M-Swain-MD-FACP.aspx#Comments 0 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=461 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=461&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/461/President-Obama-FY-2014-Budget-Proposal--Statement-by-ASCO-President-Sandra-M-Swain-MD-FACP.aspx This afternoon, President Obama released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2014. Among several cost-cutting measures designed to preserve Medicare solvency is a proposal to reduce reimbursement for life-sustaining cancer drugs. Currently, reimbursement to physicians for “Part B” drugs is based on the average sales price plus a 6 percent payment for services needed to administer chemotherapy in physicians’ offices, where most cancer patients receive their care. The President has proposed to reduce the 6 percent service payment to 3 percent. (The budget proposal appears to apply cuts primarily to physicians, but also mentions rebates that will be required by manufacturers.) Communications Team Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:25:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:461 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/460/ASCO-Joins-in-Call-to-Exempt-Cancer-Drugs-from-Sequestration.aspx#Comments 1 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=41&ModuleID=400&ArticleID=460 http://ascoaction.asco.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=460&PortalID=0&TabID=41 http://ascoaction.asco.org/Home/tabid/41/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/460/ASCO-Joins-in-Call-to-Exempt-Cancer-Drugs-from-Sequestration.aspx As the two percent across-the-board reduction in Medicare provider payments takes effect today, ASCO is calling for elimination of the cuts, which will disproportionately reduce payments for critical cancer drugs. Communications Team Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:460