By Stanton R. Mehr

Clinical Abstracts From Overseas: May 25, 2010

May 25th 2010

Abstracts include: 1) Norway: Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Improves Outcomes in Advanced Rectal Cancer, 2) Japan: Does CD55 Expression Have Prognostic Significance in Breast Cancer?, and more

Financial Incentives for Quality in Breast Cancer Care

May 24th 2010

Many managed care and payer organizations use pay-for-performance programs as incentive to improve healthcare quality. While several studies have examined the effect of these programs on primary care, few studies have evaluated their impact on cancer care.

More Elderly Patients Up-to-Date on Colorectal Cancer Screening

May 24th 2010

Based on data from the National Health Interview Surveys of 2000-2005, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted a promising trend: nearly half of elderly individuals were up to date on the recommended number of screenings of colorectal cancer.

Cost of Care for Capecitabine vs 5-FU Regimens in Managed Care

May 24th 2010

Using a database of managed care claims, outcomes researchers at Huffman-La Roche Inc in Nutley, New Jersey, examined the total cost of care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (N = 1459) who received 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based regimens or capecitabine-based chemotherapy regimens from 2004-2006.

Use of Pain Medications in Cancer Patients Surprisingly Low

May 24th 2010

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than half of patients undergoing radiation therapy to manage malignant tumors report experiencing significant pain. Despite this, relatively few use pain relief medication.

Cost-effectiveness of Imatinib in Treating Advanced GIST

May 24th 2010

Although imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is the standard of care for patients with metastatic or unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), few studies have examined its cost-effectiveness in treating this disorder.

Disabled Women in Medicare Advantage Plans Get Breast Cancer Diagnosis Earlier

May 24th 2010

In addition to providing healthcare coverage for elderly individuals, CMS offers coverage for younger patients with chronic disabilities. Like all Medicare enrollees, these patients have the option to subscribe to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans Inadvertently Reduce Clinical Trial Enrollment

May 24th 2010

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute noted that the number of elderly patients with a new cancer diagnosis enrolled in oncology clinical trials has declined, and they think Medicare Advantage may be to blame.

Treating Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with Tegafur-Uracil Plus Leucovorin

May 24th 2010

Researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have found that oral fluoropyrimidines can facilitate longer exposure to 5-fluorouracil and reduce inconvenience in treating metastatic colorectal cancer.

Promising New Regimen for Head and Neck Cancers

May 24th 2010

Clinicians from various centers across the nation collaborated in conducting a multicenter phase II trial that assessed the feasibility, toxicity,and possible efficacy of a short-term treatment regimen prior to surgery for squamous-cell head and neck carcinoma (SCHNC).

Everolimus Plus Octreotide LAR for Treating Advanced Low- to Intermediate-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumors

May 24th 2010

Researchers from the University of Texas, Houston,recently evaluated the use of everolimus (RAD001) combined with octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR) to treat patients who have advanced low- to intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumors.

Iron Plus Darbepoetin Increases Hemoglobin Levels Better and Faster Than Darbepoetin Alone

May 21st 2010

At the 33rd Congress of ESMO in Stockholm, Sweden, findings were presented from a recent study that found administration of intravenous (IV) iron intensified and accelerated cancer patients' response to darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp.

Irinotecan Plus Carboplatin Prolongs Survival in Patients with Extensive Small-Cell Lung Cancer

May 21st 2010

German researchers sought to confirm the results of a previous Japanese trial that found patients with extensive-disease small–cell lung cancer (ED SCLC) treated with irinotecan plus cisplatin lived longer than subjects given therapy with etoposide plus cisplatin.

Clinical Abstracts From Overseas: May 21, 2010

May 21st 2010