THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Community oncologists affiliated with The US Oncology Network (The Network) and US Oncology Research will showcase findings from approximately 40 data presentations at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), held June 2-6, 2017 at McCormick Place in Chicago. These data presentations cover novel approaches to numerous types of cancer specialties including hematology, gastrointestinal, breast cancer and promising immunotherapy research. In addition, experts from The Network will be sharing expert perspectives during ASCO. In particular, Debra Patt, MD, MBA, MPH, will participate in an expert panel on healthcare information technology titled More Medicine, Fewer Clicks: How Informatics Can Actually Help Your Practice.
Each year, more than 1.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer, and research shows that earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment increase patients’ chances of long-term survival.1 In 2015, the Biden Moonshot Cancer program was launched to achieve 10 years of progress, in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer, in five years. Although the healthcare landscape is changing and evolving, it’s imperative that the vitality of community cancer care is preserved, as many patients rely on resources close to their families and homes.
“Inspired by the Biden Moonshot Cancer program’s commitment to developing new cancer technologies, community oncologists continue to make significant contributions in shaping the future of cancer care,” said Michael V. Seiden, MD, PhD, chief medical officer for McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network. “The US Oncology Network is comprised of more than 1,400 independent physicians dedicated to delivering value-based, integrated care for patients – close to home. Many of those practices conduct research through US Oncology Research, one of the largest community-based oncology research programs in the United States. Over the past 25 years, the organization has enrolled more than 66,000 patients into clinical trials and helped bring nearly 70 therapeutic treatments to market through participation in pivotal registration trials. These efforts underscore one way community oncologists are influencing how the war against cancer is waged.”
Two US Oncology Research affiliated investigators have been selected to give oral presentations on Saturday, June 3 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Central Daylight Time (CDT) in S100bc, as part of a larger session focused on Hematologic Malignancies—Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
- David J. Andorsky, M.D., oncologist and hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, an affiliate of US Oncology Research, will present a study he co-authored titled, “Phase IIIb randomized study of lenalidomide plus rituximab (R2) followed by maintenance in relapsed/refractory NHL: Analysis of patients with double-refractory or early relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL).”
- Jeff Sharman, M.D., director of Research at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and medical director of Hematology Research for The US Oncology Network, will present a study he co-authored titled, “Ublituximab and ibrutinib for previously treated genetically high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Results of the GENUINE phase 3 study.”
“Despite recent advances in the treatment of follicular lymphoma, there remain groups of patients with this disease who have poor outcomes,” said Dr. Andorsky. “Early results from the MAGNIFY trial of rituximab plus lenalidomide in high-risk patients with follicular lymphoma found that patients with poor outcomes include those whose disease relapses early (within 2 years of initial treatment) and who are refractory to both rituximab and alkylating agents. I’m committed to helping develop novel therapies that improve the quality of care for these patients.”
Dr. Sharman said, “Research is key to the treatment and cure of hematologic malignancies. We must continue to accelerate discoveries into meaningful clinical trials to improve patient outcomes. Data from the GENUINE trial show that high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients who received a combination of ublituximab (UTX) and ibrutinib (IB) demonstrated a superior response rate compared to those who received IB alone without additional clinically significant toxicity. These results are a testament to the treatment advances being made, but there is still work to be done. We must think through our patients’ journeys, from start to finish.”
Affiliated oncologists are also participating in pre-conference and educational sessions by sharing insights and specialized expertise to help fellow oncologists continue to improve patient outcomes while advancing their practices. Oncology practices face complex decisions about the health technology landscape that help improve care and efficiencies. Selecting technologies that address the unique needs of an oncology practice and allow for improved identification of research and care options are essential. McKesson Specialty Health, which supports The US Oncology Network and US Oncology Research, provides coordinated resources and infrastructure that allow doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices.
“Big data and technology are playing a large role in improving cancer care, by giving physicians access to key information on proposed treatment plans and allowing them to develop individualized care plans for their patients,” said Dr. Patt, vice president of Public Policy and Academic Affairs at Texas Oncology and chair of The US Oncology Network Pathways Taskforce for Breast Cancer. “Appropriate use of big data can enhance efficiencies, improve outcomes, advance research, and reduce healthcare costs for patients and practices.”
A complete list of US Oncology Research affiliated studies and educational programs being featured at ASCO can be found here.
About US Oncology Research
Supported by McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network, US Oncology Research draws from a network of experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves 60 research sites and approximately 170 locations managing nearly 400 active trials at any given time. Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 66,000 patients in over 1,500 trials since inception in 1992 and have played a role in nearly 70 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. For more information visit https://www.usoncology.com/physicians/clinical-trials. To find clinical trials available through US Oncology Research visit http://trialfinder.usoncology.com.
About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 1,400 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care for patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides doctors with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Specialty Health. This collaboration allows the doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. Together, The Network and its affiliated physicians are committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.
About McKesson Specialty Health
McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, works together with stakeholders across the healthcare delivery system to preserve and strengthen specialty care, passionately driven by the benefits it provides patients and the system as a whole. Through innovative provider, practice management, manufacturer and payer solutions, McKesson Specialty Health focuses on improving the financial, operational and business health of our customers and partners so they may provide the best care to patients. At McKesson Specialty Health, we believe that we are all in this together. For more information, visit www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com.
1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer – Preventing One of the Nation’s Leading Causes of Death at a Glance 2016. October 2016. Accessed May 17, 2017 at https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/dcpc.htm
