Leading oncology researchers will present abstracts on latest clinical and real-world evidence research across a range of cancer types
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 28, 2020 — During the virtual scientific program of the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, principal investigators from US Oncology Research and McKesson will demonstrate detailed results from more than 70 studies. Data presentations include six oral sessions on topics including immunotherapy and specific cancer types like prostate, ovarian, breast and others. The ASCO Annual Meeting, a leading conference delivering the latest cancer science to the global community, will be held May 29 – 31, 2020.
“The uncertainties of cancer care and research during today’s pandemic are having a profound effect on patients, oncologists and researchers,” said Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, chief scientific officer, US Oncology Research. “Our team of community-based research investigators are committed to advancing research, even in challenging times, to examine new and improved therapies, diagnostics and other aspects of clinical cancer care, as cancer will not wait for us. This year’s sampling of clinical research featured during the 2020 ASCO virtual scientific program is no exception, as we have several abstracts selected for oral presentation. The quality and innovations being advanced by researchers illustrate this dedication to our collective patients and body of evidence in the field while showcasing that quality research can be found in local communities.”
Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD, FASCO, FACP, medical oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) and associate chair of the US Oncology Research Genitourinary Committee, will have an oral presentation on the randomized SWOG S1216 Phase III study entitled, “Baseline circulating tumor cell (CTC) count as a prognostic marker of PSA response and progression in metastatic castrate sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC): Results from SWOG S1216, a phase III randomized trial of androgen deprivation plus orteronel (cyp17 inhibitor) or bicalutamide.”
“This is the largest Phase III study ever done with this circulating tumor cell technology in this common subset of prostate cancer patients; namely, newly diagnosed ‘hormone sensitive metastatic prostate cancer,’” said Dr. Vogelzang. “We are researching whether patients will benefit from adding a newer drug named orteronel to the current standard of care. This method would not result in more treatment options, but it may mean some patients need more intensive therapy, taking three drugs rather than just one or two while other patients could use less toxic therapy.”
Dr. Vogelzang will also have an oral presentation on a Phase I study in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) entitled, “First-in-human phase I study of ARV-110, an androgen receptor (AR) PROTAC degrader in patients (pts) with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) following enzalutamide (ENZ) and/or abiraterone (ABI).”
Alex Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, medical oncologist at Virginia Cancer Specialists (VCS) and chair of the US Oncology Research Executive Committee, will be part of two oral presentations on early-stage immunotherapy research during the conference entitled, “CX-2029, a PROBODY drug conjugate targeting CD71 (transferrin receptor): Results from a first-in-human study (PROCLAIM-CX-2029) in patients (Pts) with advanced cancer” and “PROCLAIM-CX-072: Analysis of patients with advanced solid tumors receiving long-term treatment with CX-072, a PD-L1 probody therapeutic, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab.”
“Immunotherapy research continues to expand and the body of evidence, in totality, holds immense promise for the future,” said Dr. Spira. “There is much to learn yet in the area of precision oncology and targeted therapies, but we are making continued progress towards promising therapies that could yield better results for patients with specific solid tumor mutations.”
Debra A. Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, FASCO, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Oncology – Clinical Cancer Informatics, medical oncologist at Texas Oncology, and US Oncology Research Breast Cancer Committee member, and other investigators with US Oncology Research worked with McKesson Data, Evidence and Insights on real-world evidence (RWE), which resulted in a poster presentation regarding the value of evidence-based information to inform and improve clinical decision making entitled “Driving quality improvement: How clinical decision support can facilitate compliance with evidence-based pathways.”
“The application of informatics in cancer care continues to emerge and enlighten us as practitioners,” said Dr. Patt. “As more therapies become available and precision oncology continues to rapidly evolve, the use of informatics and evidence-based pathways will become more critical to oncologists as we consider the best course of treatment for our patients.”
In addition, Neelima Denduluri, MD, FASCO, medical oncologist with VCS and associate chair of The US Oncology Network Breast Cancer Research Committee, has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO), a designation reserved to honor the most active volunteer members within ASCO. Dr. Denduluri was awarded this designation as a result of her outstanding commitment to serving the oncology community and volunteerism. She has been chair of the ASCO Guidelines Committee, President’s Circle Advocacy Champion, member of the ASCO Education Committee and Steering Committee member of the ASCO Research Community Forum.
“Dr. Denduluri is not only a talented and well-recognized member of the oncology community, she is committed to our field and patients, serving as a leader in the areas of clinical guidelines and an innovative researcher,” said Michael Seiden, MD, PhD, president, The US Oncology Network. “The designation of Dr. Denduluri as a member of this year’s class of Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists speaks to her dedication and leadership role within the industry, and the recognition of her contributions by her peers. We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and value her as an esteemed member of the US Oncology Research team.”
The full schedule of affiliated data presentations, including location and author information, can be found here. For more information or to interview a trial investigator, contact Claire Crye at 281.825.9927 or Claire.Crye@mckesson.com or Edie DeVine at 209.814.9564 or Edie.DeVine@gcihealth.com.
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About US Oncology Research
US Oncology Research draws from a network of experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 165 locations, managing about 400 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 80,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 95 FDA-approved cancer therapies. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
Dr. Coleman brings extensive expertise in cancer research and program development to The Network
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, March 31, 2020—The US Oncology Network (The Network) has named prominent cancer researcher Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, as its new Chief Scientific Officer. In this role, Dr. Coleman will be the senior-most clinician scientist on The US Oncology Network leadership team and will have a broad set of responsibilities aimed at expanding the organization’s research efforts and strengthening the culture of research across The Network. The US Oncology Network, which is supported by McKesson Corporation, is one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care.
Dr. Coleman, who most recently served as executive director of MD Anderson’s Cancer Network Research Program, joins the organization on March 31. He will work collaboratively with The Network and McKesson leadership teams as well as manufacturers, laboratory and device companies, and physicians in The Network.
“We are honored to have someone of Dr. Coleman’s stature join our leadership team,” said Michael V. Seiden, MD, PhD, president, The US Oncology Network. “He is an internationally recognized leader in ovarian cancer research and has been instrumental in developing many of the promising treatments that are now available for ovarian cancer management. His strong background in clinical research and his deep expertise in creating and managing research programs in various care delivery settings make him an excellent fit for our organization as we continue to grow and enhance our research program.”
Dr. Coleman will lead US Oncology Research, one of the largest research programs in the country drawing from a network of more than 1,000 experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 78,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 95 FDA-approved cancer therapies. Through US Oncology Research, Dr. Coleman will work to develop the infrastructure and support necessary to make participating in research more accessible to all physicians in The Network, enabling them to incorporate more novel therapies into their patients’ treatment plans. Additionally, he will identify opportunities and develop strategies to work with manufacturers and biopharma companies within their developmental pipelines. To accelerate the conduct of research, he will also evaluate emerging technologies, digital platforms and artificial intelligence strategies.
Prior to joining The Network, Dr. Coleman was executive director of MD Anderson’s Cancer Network Research Program where he was responsible for creating research programs in community hospital systems and for implementing the infrastructure required to grow research activities at each site. Additionally, he was a professor and also served as the Ann Rife Cox Chair in Gynecology at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine. He is currently the co-director of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Partners Foundation, Inc., the leader in national clinical trials in gynecologic cancers.
In addition, Dr. Coleman’s work has been published extensively in more than 500 publications. He has contributed to many book chapters as well as edited and written six books. These publications included the role of novel therapies and surgical approaches to ovarian cancer, such as the incorporation of PARP inhibitors and secondary cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer management.
“The US Oncology Network is a worldwide leader in cancer research, and the organization is strongly committed to advancing the fight against cancer while making novel therapies available to patients in local communities,” noted Dr. Coleman. “I am excited to have the opportunity to help enhance and expand the research program by collaborating with the leadership team and the many dedicated researchers, physicians and staff who have made the program such a great success already.”
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About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 1,200 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care to 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 practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.
Contact
The US Oncology Network
Claire Crye, Public Relations
281.825.9927 claire.crye@usoncology.com
Top researchers will present abstracts on latest clinical research advancing cancer treatment options
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 5, 2019— During the 61st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, principal investigators from The US Oncology Network (The Network) and US Oncology Research will demonstrate detailed results from more than 20 studies covering topics including lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukemia and more. The ASH Annual Meeting, a leading scientific event in malignant and non-malignant hematology, will be held December 7-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
“The future of cancer treatment is being cultivated at many practices in the community setting,” said Michael Seiden, MD, PhD, president of The US Oncology Network. “I’m proud of the work being done by research investigators in The US Oncology Network. It’s amazing to see the quality of their research presented at ASH every year. Their innovations are truly making a difference that impact cancer patients now and in the future.”
Jeff Sharman, MD, medical director of Hematology Research for The US Oncology Network and director of Research at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center (WVCI), will present an oral abstract titled, “ELEVATE TN: Phase 3 Study of Acalabrutinib Combined with Obinutuzumab (O) or Alone Vs O Plus Chlorambucil (Clb) in Patients (Pts) with Treatment-Naive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL),” on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30am ET in Hall D, Level 2.
“BTK inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of CLL,” said Dr. Sharman. “This study led to the FDA approval of acalabrutinib in previously untreated CLL and presents compelling evidence of both safety and efficacy of the drug. With a second approved BTK inhibitor in CLL, there are now more available options for patients in need of therapy.”
Additionally, Dr. Sharman will share his expertise during an education program on indolent lymphomas. His presentation titled, “Targeting CD20: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks,” will take place Saturday, December 7, 2:00pm-3:30pm ET as well as Sunday, December 8, 9:30am-11:00am ET in Tangerine 1 (WF1), Level 2.
“CD20 is an established target for the treatment of both lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia,” said Dr. Sharman. “For nearly 2 decades, rituximab was an unequaled therapeutic in this space as the standard of care. With novel subcutaneous formulations, biosimilar molecules, second generation anti-CD20 antibodies, immunologically synergistic combinations and novel bispecific approaches, CD20-directed therapies are undergoing a dramatic change.”
Christopher Yasenchak, MD, associate chair of Hematology Research for The US Oncology Network and hematologist with WVCI, is presenting an oral abstract titled, “Phase 2 Study of Frontline Brentuximab Vedotin Plus Nivolumab in Patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma Aged ≥60 Years,” on Saturday, December 7 at 2:30pm ET in W224, Level 2.
“Elderly patients with Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma experience markedly inferior outcomes with conventional chemotherapy when compared to younger patients. This is due to differences in disease biology, increased rates of advanced disease, medical co-morbidities and treatment-related morbidity and mortality. As such, novel treatment strategies are needed,” said Dr. Yasenchak. “The combination of brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab delivered in the frontline setting shows a high response rate and improved toxicity profile. This regimen may fill an unmet need for elderly patients unfit for conventional chemotherapy.”
Furthermore, Robert Rifkin, MD, FACP, medical director of Biosimilars for McKesson, associate chair of Hematology Research and myeloma disease lead for The US Oncology Network, and hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC), will present “Daratumumab (DARA) Maintenance Therapy Improves Depth of Response and Results in Durable Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Following Dara Plus Cyclophosphamide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (CyBorD) Induction Therapy in Multiple Myeloma (MM): Update of the Lyra Study.” The oral presentation will take place Monday, December 9 at 5:30pm ET in Hall E2, Level 2.
“This is an important study for multiple myeloma patients treated in the community setting as it gives them a treatment option that is relatively non-toxic that may increase the depth of response and achieve durable remissions,” said Dr. Rifkin. “Additionally, DARA-Cy-Bord is safe and easy to manage.”
Physicians with US Oncology Research worked with McKesson Data, Evidence and Insights investigators on a real-world evidence (RWE) study titled, “Treatment Patterns and Outcomes of Patients with Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma Treated with Idelalisib in a Community Oncology Setting.” The poster presentation will take place Sunday, December 8, 6:00pm-8:00pm ET in Hall B, Level 2.
“This study evaluated patient profiles, treatment patterns and clinical outcomes among adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who initiated treatment with Idelalisib within The US Oncology Network,” said Presenting Author David Andorsky, MD, a hematologist with RMCC, a practice in The US Oncology Network. “These findings enhance available data on relapsed follicular lymphoma patient outcomes in real-world practice.”
The full schedule of affiliated data presentations, including location and author information, can be found here. For more information or to interview a trial investigator, contact Claire Crye at 281.825.9927 or Claire.Crye@usoncology.com or Edie DeVine at 209.814.9564 or Edie.DeVine@gcihealth.com.
Contacts
US Oncology Research
Claire Crye, Public Relations
281.825.9927 claire.crye@usoncology.com
GCI Health on behalf of US Oncology Research
Edie DeVine, Public Relations
209.814.9564 edie.devine@gcihealth.com
About US Oncology Research
US Oncology Research draws from a network of more than 1,000 experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 165 locations, managing about 300 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 78,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 90 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.
Community-based practices enhanced care while significantly reducing costs
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 8, 2019—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) recently released results for the fourth performance period of the Oncology Care Model (OCM), and all 15 practices in The US Oncology Network (The Network) participating in the program earned high marks for quality performance. While improving care and providing an enhanced patient experience, the practices saved Medicare approximately $35 million during the performance period compared to the established benchmark. The OCM is a five-year pilot program put forth by CMMI designed to provide higher quality, more coordinated cancer care at the same or lower cost to Medicare. Scheduled to sunset in June 2021, it is an integral part of Medicare’s ongoing effort to transition healthcare to a system based on value over volume.
“The exceptional quality performance of practices in The Network participating in the OCM as well as the cost savings they delivered to Medicare and its beneficiaries provide evidence that practices can maintain high-quality care while providing value ―a main goal of the OCM,” said Marcus Neubauer, MD, chief medical officer, The US Oncology Network. “Not only are these practices meeting the basic requirements of this complex yet important model, but they are generally showing improvement each subsequent performance period. After conquering the initial learning curve, practices in The Network are finding ways to thrive in this program along the continuum of enhanced patient care, managing costs, and reporting clinical data to Medicare.”
The US Oncology Network is committed to ensuring that community practices have access to all of the resources necessary to successfully accomplish the massive practice transformation required by the OCM and other value-based alternative payment models. A wide range of comprehensive, proven resources are available to drive best practices, such as industry-leading technologies that support decision-making at the point of care, advanced analytics for optimal data management and reporting, and innovative pharmacy solutions that provide better drug management. As industry leaders in value-based care, The Network, supported by McKesson, also gives practices access to thought leaders and key staff who have deep expertise in the field. Additionally, with more than 940 physicians in The Network participating in the OCM, there are many opportunities to share challenges and solutions with colleagues, providing a strong support system as practices transition to a whole new way of doing business.
“The OCM is a very large, complex program that requires total practice transformation in order to perform well,” explained Lalan Wilfong, MD, VP of Value-Based Care and Quality Programs for Texas Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network participating in the OCM. “The program is a bridge to the future, so it is essential for us to learn how to thrive in this model. The requirements can be quite overwhelming, but thanks to the support and guidance from highly knowledgeable experts in The Network and McKesson, we have a roadmap for success. They have devoted a tremendous amount of time, effort and resources to ensure participating practices do well in the program, and we greatly appreciate that commitment to us.”
As the end of the year approaches, practices in the OCM must decide if they want to participate in a more challenging two-sided risk arrangement in the model with a significant downside (payback) potential. This is a difficult decision for community-based practices, as there is much at stake, and this is not a decision they have previously had to make. Practices in The Network have a distinct advantage in the decision-making process since The Network is providing the data and expertise they need to make the most appropriate choice tailored to their practice. Given the performance levels achieved through the fourth OCM performance period, most of The Network practices participating are expected to move forward with the program plus accept the two-sided risk arrangement.
The practices in The US Oncology Network are making a significant contribution to the success of the OCM, enrolling more than 26,000 patients every performance period. By demonstrating substantial savings for Medicare and its beneficiaries while enhancing patient care and the patient experience, The Network is living up to the ideals of the program and providing proof that high-quality care and cost management are not mutually exclusive.
“The US Oncology Network is strongly committed to the Oncology Care Model and practice transformation to enhance high-quality patient care,” noted Dr. Neubauer. “We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking program that is redefining the delivery of cancer care and the way in which it is reimbursed.”
About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 1,200 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care to 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 practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.
Media Contacts
The US Oncology Network
Claire Crye
281.825.9927 Claire.Crye@usoncology.com
Value-based agreement aims to deliver best-in-class results at lower overall cost
ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 22, 2019—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) and Minnesota Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, today announced a five-year agreement that will change the way cancer care is paid for and managed in order to deliver optimal health outcomes at lower costs.
This collaboration, which takes effect September 1, 2019, will make Blue Cross and Minnesota Oncology jointly accountable for the overall cost of cancer care provided to Blue Cross members through a value-based risk arrangement. The terms of the arrangement are based on the principle that effective outcomes for patients are determined by the quality of care provided – not the quantity.
“This transformation from a volume- to value-based payment model is driven by our shared goal of delivering the best possible outcomes at a lower cost to cancer patients, many of whom struggle to afford their care, even with insurance,” said Craig Samitt, MD, MBA, president and CEO at Blue Cross. “We applaud Minnesota Oncology for stepping up to become part of the solution to the rising cost of healthcare in our state. I am confident this agreement will lead to a better care experience for the many Minnesotans impacted by this terrible disease each year.”
With an enhanced focus on patient-centric healthcare, clinical staff at Minnesota Oncology will offer care coordination services on an individualized basis for Blue Cross members. This approach will help to ensure that the comprehensive care model already in place consistently delivers the best possible outcomes by providing appropriate, medically necessary care at the right time and place.
The five-year collaboration will include an agreed-upon set of quality metrics based on the latest scientific research and proven clinical guidelines. Minnesota Oncology will be responsible for ensuring continued alignment with evidence-based best practices and, as a result, will no longer be required to secure prior authorization from Blue Cross for coverage of selected services that are typically associated with high rates of overutilization.
“Cancer patients face a big challenge, and we remain committed to providing comprehensive care including state-of-the-art therapies, precision medicine, genetic testing, palliative care and access to clinical trials,” said John Schwerkoske, MD, president and medical oncologist at Minnesota Oncology. “We are very excited to collaborate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to help make sure patients with cancer receive high-quality and high-value care in a community setting, close to home.”
In addition to physicians and nurses, social workers, nutrition therapists and genetic counselors all play an important role in Minnesota Oncology’s comprehensive care model, which also includes remote symptoms monitoring, advance care planning, palliative care and survivorship.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.
About Minnesota Oncology
Minnesota Oncology is dedicated to providing compassionate care for various types of cancer and blood disorders in 12 convenient Twin Cities metro locations as well as several satellite locations. Minnesota Oncology provides high-quality cancer care in a community setting, allowing patients to stay close to the comfort of home and family. Its mission is to combine the strength of hope with the power of science, one patient at a time.
Minnesota Oncology is a practice in The US Oncology Network (The Network). This collaboration unites the practice with more than 1,200 independent physicians dedicated to delivering value-based, integrated care to 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 is supported by McKesson Corporation, whose coordinated resources and infrastructure allow doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. Minnesota Oncology also participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 90 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date.
Media Contacts
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Jim McManus
651.662.2882 Jim.McManus@bluecrossmn.com
Minnesota Oncology
Colleen Schwab
651.262.4243 Colleen.Schwab@usoncology.com
The US Oncology Network
Claire Crye
281.825.9927 Claire.Crye@usoncology.com
Relationship strengthens the practice’s ability to remain independent, providing vast resources to enhance patient care and financial stability
CAMPBELL, Calif. (July 9, 2019) — Northern California Prostate Cancer Center (NCPCC), an independent oncology practice serving cancer patients throughout Santa Clara County, has joined The US Oncology Network (The Network). The practice, which has treated patients in the region since 2009, was the first prostate-only radiation treatment center in California to earn the high honor of obtaining a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology from the American College of Radiology (ACR). Additionally, NCPCC now cares for patients with nearly all cancer diagnoses.
“Joining The Network will allow us to retain our independence while strengthening our financial position as we continue to provide the high level of personalized, advanced care that our patients and referring physicians have come to expect from us,” said Rizwan Nurani, MD, radiation oncologist with Northern California Prostate Cancer Center. “Competing successfully in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape is extremely challenging for small practices today, as the business side of the operation often distracts from providing quality care. As part of The Network, we will have access to a wealth of resources that will enable us to succeed while keeping our patients as our top priority.”
The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest associations of community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. By joining The Network, Northern California Prostate Cancer Center enhances its ability to offer patients some of the most advanced radiation oncology treatments available today, all delivered in a convenient neighborhood location where patients live and work. The practice also gains resources, expertise, innovative technologies and business support services from The Network to help it remain viable in today’s challenging value-based world.
“The US Oncology Network is committed to expanding patient access to quality care in local communities by supporting independent oncology practices like Northern California Prostate Cancer Center so they can thrive in today’s complex healthcare environment,” said Michael Seiden, MD, PhD, president of The US Oncology Network. “Our comprehensive practice management solutions empower providers to overcome business challenges, ensuring long-term practice health while enabling physicians to focus on providing high-quality care. We welcome Dr. Nurani and his staff to The Network, and we look forward to collaborating with these highly-skilled, dedicated professionals as we work together to advance cancer care.”
About Northern California Prostate Cancer Center
Northern California Prostate Cancer Center is dedicated to treating cancer patients. The Center is designed for patient comfort and convenience featuring state-of-the-art technology. Its board-certified radiation oncologists and board-certified urologists – through the practice’s affiliation with Urological Surgeons of Northern California – allow the care team to work seamlessly to personalize their patients’ care based on their needs and individual clinical protocol. Northern California Prostate Cancer Center believes this is very important at a time when all a patient should be concerned with is getting healthy again.
About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 1,200 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care to 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 practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.
Media Contacts
Mitzi Calhoun, NCPCC
310.335.4085
Claire Crye, The US Oncology Network
281.825.9927
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Important and growing role of community oncologists in clinical research and evidence generation across multiple cancer types
IRVING, TEXAS, May 30, 2019—Investigators from McKesson, The US Oncology Network (The Network) and US Oncology Research will showcase detailed findings from more than 60 studies during the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The meeting, being held in Chicago from May 31 to June 4, 2019, will bring together more than 32,000 oncology professionals from around the globe.
“ASCO continues to serve as a meaningful platform for community oncologists to share learnings and real-world evidence that advance therapies and care practices to foster the utmost care for oncology patients,” said Michael Seiden, MD, PhD, president, The US Oncology Network. “As therapies continue to improve and become more personalized to the individual’s particular cancer, staying engaged in cutting-edge clinical trials and sharing our findings with forward-thinking colleagues in the oncology community help oncologists and researchers in The Network contribute in meaningful ways in the fight against cancer.”
Key study presentations during this year’s conference will include research on sarcoma, non-small cell metastatic lung cancer, hematologic malignancies (such as leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and allotransplant), developmental immunotherapy and tumor immunobiology, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, developmental therapeutics and tumor biology and genitourinary (non-prostate) cancer. Some of these studies utilized high-quality real-world data captured from iKnowMed℠, McKesson’s oncology practice electronic health record (EHR) system that was named the top-ranked EHR platform for oncologists and hematologists for the eighth year in a row by Black Book™ Research. Through McKesson’s Data, Evidence and Insights business, this rich, regulatory-grade data is leveraged to support biopharmaceutical real-world evidence needs.
“The increased role of real-world evidence is ever important in improving patient outcomes for individuals battling cancer,” said Nicholas Robert, MD, medical director of Data, Evidence & Insights, McKesson Life Sciences. “Furthermore, regulatory agencies now consider these data sets as a part of a bigger picture when evaluating a therapeutic filing, especially in areas with unmet needs.”
Additionally, at the event, Debra Patt, MD, MPH, MBA, of Texas Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, will officially be recognized with her designation of Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). The designation honors the most active ASCO volunteers. Dr. Patt is a long-standing member of the community oncologist community with more than 20 years of experience. She also serves as editor-in-chief of JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics and is a member of ASCO’s Nominating Committee, White and Brown Bagging Committee, Clinical Practice Committee (CPC) Physician Compensation Workgroup, MACRA Speakers Group and CPC Payment Reform Implementation Workgroup.
“From harnessing data- and evidence-driven insights to breakthrough genetics-based scientific research, the pace of advancement in cancer treatment is more robust now than at any time in my career,” said Dr. Patt. “New, more personalized treatments are revolutionizing oncology and delivering profound benefits to patients. We have witnessed the first cancer therapies approved by the FDA that have included real-world evidence. ASCO provides us with a glimpse of the future and the promise it holds for our patients. I’m honored to be named a recognized Fellow and to be able to bring real-world perspectives from community-based oncology to this outstanding organization.”
The full schedule of affiliated data presentations, including location information, can be found here. For more information or to be put in touch with a trial investigator, contact Claire Crye at 281.825.9927 or Edie DeVine at 209.814.9564. Please visit Booth #4089 in the ASCO Exhibit Hall.
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About US Oncology Research
US Oncology Research draws from a network of more than 1,000 experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 155 locations, managing about 300 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 77,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 85 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.
About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 1,200 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care to 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 practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 7th on the FORTUNE 500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, healthcare technology, community oncology and specialty care. McKesson partners with life sciences companies, manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other healthcare organizations to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities to improve patient care in every setting — one product, one partner, one patient at a time. McKesson has been named a “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
Collaboration helps physicians spend less time on data entry and more time on patient care
LAS COLINAS, TEXAS and SAN FRANCISCO, December 6, 2018—McKesson Corporation, which has been investing in technologies and services that create more efficiencies for healthcare providers, and Augmedix, a technology-enabled service for health systems and providers, announced the expansion of an innovative pilot between the Augmedix electronic health record (EHR) documentation platform and the McKesson oncology EHR iKnowMedSM.
New pilot programs are beginning with Virginia Cancer Specialists (VCS) and Virginia Oncology Associates (VOA), both practices in The US Oncology Network. The goal of the pilot is to provide more time for the physicians to meet and communicate with their cancer patients.
Augmedix outfits physicians with Glass eyewear from Alphabet’s moonshot factory. The wearable technology is then used during patient exams, which streams audio/visual information from the clinic visit to an off-site team of tech-enabled scribes in a HIPAA-secure location. Trained scribes assist the physician and perform EHR documentation in real-time, saving the physician precious time. The physician then reviews and approves notes for the EHR. The system is dynamic in that the Augmedix team can communicate information back to the physician’s display on Glass. Augmedix also offers a smartphone-based solution for physicians who prefer not to use the Glass device.
VCS has utilized iKnowMed for more than six years as the EHR offers fast, easy sharing across the spectrum of care with the practice’s many systems through best-in-class interoperability. iKnowMed provides support in value-based care programs such as the Oncology Care Model (OCM), the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and other programs while improving the practice’s efficiency. This EHR platform is in use by approximately 2,200 providers in 175 practices across approximately 650 sites of care and it contains more than 6.5 million patient records documenting over 115 million patient visits. iKnowMed has been named the top-ranked EHR platform for oncologists and hematologists for seven years in a row by Black BookTM Research, an unbiased, industry-leading source for polling, surveys and market research.
“We’ve enjoyed the ease of use and rich information available in the iKnowMed EHR, and augmenting iKnowMed with Augmedix’s technology makes it even more powerful,” said Alexander I. Spira, M.D., medical oncologist with VCS. “I love that I can give more focus to observing and truly caring for my cancer patients. Not having to input all of my notes myself saves me time, making me more accessible and allowing me to treat a few more patients each day.”
Augmedix’s first deployment with The Network was in Willamette Valley Cancer Institute (WVCI) and Research Center based in Eugene, Oregon. In addition to WVCI, VCS and VOA, further use and adoption are anticipated at more oncology practices in The US Oncology Network next year.
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About Augmedix
Augmedix frees doctors from mandated EHR charting, allowing them to focus instead on patient needs and quality care. Before entering the exam room, a doctor dons Glass (made by X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory) and then proceeds to talk with patients, rather than burying their head in a computer screen. Forms, health history, lab orders, prescriptions and more are completed effortlessly using a tech-enabled remote scribes. The service is HIPAA-compliant, works with all EHRs, and increases doctor productivity by more than 30 percent. For more information, visit http://www.augmedix.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 to 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 practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 6th on the FORTUNE 500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
Media Contact
McKesson
Claire Crye, Public Relations
T 281.825.9927 claire.crye@mckesson.com
Top researchers will present abstracts on latest clinical research advancing cancer treatment options
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, November 30, 2018— During the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, principal investigators from The US Oncology Network and US Oncology Research will demonstrate detailed results from 18 studies (two orals, 15 poster presentations and one late-breaking abstract) covering topics including multiple myeloma, plasma cell disorders, lymphoid malignancies, follicular lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and more. The ASH Annual Meeting, a leading scientific event in malignant and non-malignant hematology, will be held December 1-4 in San Diego.
“We are proud once again to have numerous researchers from our community of oncologists showcase their work towards advancing cancer treatment options,” said Michael Seiden, MD, PhD, president of The US Oncology Network. “It is heartening to participate in this important event where research towards better patient outcomes is the priority, and I’m eager to learn the results from these promising studies.”
Habte Yimer, MD, US Oncology Research executive council member and medical oncologist and hematologist with Texas Oncology, co-authored a late-breaking abstract titled, “Rivaroxaban Thromboprophylaxis in High-Risk Ambulatory Cancer Patients Receiving Systemic Therapy: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial (CASSINI),” which will be presented on Tuesday, December 4, 7:30-9:15am PT in Hall AB (San Diego Convention Center).
“I am honored to be a part of this study in which US Oncology Research was heavily involved and contributed to its success,” said Dr. Yimer. “Our practice accrued the largest number of patients to this study globally, and I am hopeful that it may be practice changing.”
Additionally, Dr. Yimer will present the initial efficacy and safety data on the treatment of multiple myeloma titled, “Lyra: A Phase 2 Study of Daratumumab (Dara) Plus Cyclophosphamide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (CyBorD) in Newly Diagnosed and Relapsed Patients (Pts) with Multiple Myeloma (MM).” The oral presentation will take place Saturday, December 1 at 12:15pm PT in Grand Ballroom 7 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina).
Jeff Sharman, MD, medical director of hematology research for The US Oncology Network and director of research at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center, will present “A Randomized, Double-Blind Efficacy and Safety Study of PF-05280586 (a Potential Rituximab Biosimilar) Compared with Rituximab Reference Product (MabThera®) in Subjects with Previously Untreated CD20-Positive, Low Tumor Burden Follicular Lymphoma (LTB-FL).” The oral presentation will be held on Sunday, December 2 at 12:45pm PT in Ballroom 20A (San Diego Convention Center).
Lastly, Robert Rifkin, MD, FACP, medical director of biosimilars and health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) committee member with McKesson and oncologists and hematologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, will present “Safety of Split Dosing Vs Standard Dosing Administration of Administration of Daratumumab Among Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated in a US Community Oncology Setting: A Real-World Observational Study.” The poster presentation will be held Monday, December 3, 6:00-8:00pm PT in Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center).
The full schedule of US Oncology Research affiliated data presentations, including location and author information, can be found here. For more information or to interview a trial investigator, contact Claire Crye at 281.825.9927 or Claire.Crye@mckesson.com or Kerry Sinclair at 323.602.1096 or Kerry.Sinclair@gcihealth.com.
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About US Oncology Research
US Oncology Research draws from a network of more than 1,000 experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 150 locations, managing about 300 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 73,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 75 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.
More than 200 leading cancer researchers gathered to discuss the future of cancer care
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, October 8, 2018—US Oncology Research recently held its 17th Annual Science Forum (the Forum) in Denver, bringing together more than 200 leading research physicians and their clinical teams. This year’s agenda included a focus on leading-edge clinical and technological topics, including artificial intelligence, the immunologic bank and new gene treatments like CAR-T cell therapies.
“This meeting brings outstanding new science to help our patients now,” said Daniel Von Hoff, MD, FACP, chief scientific officer, US Oncology Research. “This science will allow earlier diagnosis via artificial intelligence, introduction of new therapeutics with unique mechanisms of action, the maximum harnessing of a person’s immune system to prevent or eliminate cancer, and gene therapy to likely cure diseases we never dreamed we could change.”
During the Forum, investigators convened to hear from world-renowned speakers on topics and trends in oncology research, including:
- Regina Barzilay, PhD, Delta Electronics professor and MacArthur fellow at MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab, who spoke on artificial intelligence and its implications for more efficient density assessments and modeling in the treatment of breast cancer;
- Jian Han, MD, PhD, faculty investigator at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, who spoke on the promise of leveraging a person’s own immunologic bank; and
- Thomas Gajewski, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Pathology at The University of Chicago Ben May Department for Cancer Research, who discussed the most important new developments in immuno-oncology.
“Bringing together this talented group of individuals is an important step in how we build and nurture a strong culture of research and to continue the integral mission of advancing cancer care,” said Sandy Smith, vice president, US Oncology Research.
Oncologists and clinical investigators participated in key disease-program committee sessions where they discussed significant scientific and clinical trends that are paving the way for new treatment approaches. “These committees lay the foundation for innovation by deciding which trials are the most promising to bring to the communities we serve,” said Smith.
“Coming together for the Forum also allows providers an opportunity to recognize the dedicated researchers who are improving lives of cancer patients and their families every day,” said Alex Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, chair of the US Oncology Research Executive Council, co-chair of the US Oncology Research Thoracic Oncology Committee, and oncologist at Virginia Cancer Specialists. “We were able to honor many achievements at this year’s event, including those outstanding investigators and sites responsible for enrolling the most clinical trial patients among their peers across the U.S.”
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About US Oncology Research
US Oncology Research draws from a network of more than 1,000 experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 150 locations, managing about 300 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 73,000 patients in over 1,600 trials and have played a role in more than 75 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.
Affiliated practices to benefit from high positive payment adjustment
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, October 4, 2018— The US Oncology Network (The Network) today announced results of the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for its affiliated practices. Based on the successful implementation of quality improvement, adoption and performance in the first year of MIPS, practices in The Network will receive an average positive payment adjustment of 1.90%*—close to the maximum allowable adjustment of 2.02%*. In addition, 99% of physicians in The Network were in the top tier of performers.
Launched in 2017, MIPS is a bi-partisan government-mandated program that aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality. The 2017 results were released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 29, 2018. A clinician’s performance in 2017 will impact their Medicare reimbursement in 2019.
Central to MIPS—and at the core of the current healthcare landscape—is value-based care. The Network’s value-based care team provided comprehensive and one-on-one support on MIPS to affiliated practices, which greatly contributed to its leading performance.
“MIPS can be a complex and onerous program for a practice,” said Marcus Neubauer, MD, chief medical officer for The US Oncology Network. “By working closely with the value-based care team, practices in The Network received the support and tools needed to manage the MIPS requirements. Together, we were able to achieve great results.”
In addition to the efforts of The Network-affiliated practices, another contributing factor to the successful MIPS results was their use of McKesson’s industry-leading oncology-specific electronic health record (EHR), iKnowMed℠. Earlier this year, McKesson was designated as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) by CMS, and as such, McKesson can collect and report clinical data on behalf of clinicians through iKnowMed for MIPS and other custom quality measures to drive improvements in the value and cost of cancer care. The designation enables iKnowMed users to efficiently submit data directly to CMS without engaging a separate registry vendor, streamlining data submission and minimizing the need for additional practice administrative resources.
“I want to congratulate all of The Network-affiliated practices for scoring in the top-tier of all performers,” said Dr. Neubauer. “Together we are refining our approach to value-based care, and our MIPS performance is truly a harbinger of future success as more payers begin to adopt similar requirements.”
*MIPS is a budget neutral program so the percentages above may fluctuate as CMS reacts to feedback from practices via the Targeted Review process.
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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 Corporation. 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.
Dataset of up to 10,000 full genome profiles matched with complete clinical data will provide representative resource for breast cancer research
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, U.S., IRVINE, CALIF., U.S. and AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (August 23, 2018) – Agendia, Inc., a world leader in precision oncology, announced today that US Oncology Research, one of the nation’s largest research networks dedicated to bringing cutting-edge treatment options to cancer patients and consisting of more than 150 research sites and over 1,000 investigators, has joined Agendia’s FLEX breast cancer registry study. FLEX is a large-scale, prospective, observational breast cancer study that links full genome profiling, including Agendia’s MammaPrint® risk of recurrence and BluePrint® molecular subtyping tests, with complete clinical data to create a comprehensive patient database with the potential to identify new gene associations with prognostic and/or predictive value in breast cancer.
The first milestone for the revolutionary database will be to capture full genomic and clinical data for 10,000 breast cancer patients and follow them over 10 years. Open to both women and men in the U.S. diagnosed with stage I, II, or III cancer, including all molecular sub-types, the dataset will be a true representation of the entire patient population. By capturing genomic and clinical data from all ethnicities, ages, genders, and from patients with co-morbidities, the FLEX database provides valuable opportunities to accelerate breast cancer research. It will also enable researchers to investigate the differences and trends between sub-groups and, importantly, to focus on smaller, more diverse, patient populations which have traditionally been challenging to recruit in sufficient numbers for clinical trials.
Since beginning enrollment in 2017, FLEX has 45 centers in the U.S. and has recruited over 700 patients. Under the terms of the agreement, all US Oncology Research-affiliated sites can participate in FLEX, with eight initial sites in Texas and Arizona already open for enrollment.
“FLEX has the potential to become one of the most valuable and impactful national datasets in breast cancer research – a veritable ‘Google’ for combined clinical and genomic breast cancer information,” said Joyce O’Shaughnessy, M.D., chair of the Breast Cancer Program for US Oncology Research, Texas Oncology and Celebrating Women Chair in Breast Cancer Research at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX. “We are very pleased that our center is a part of this groundbreaking initiative. We look forward to giving patients the opportunity to help drive new discoveries in breast cancer by enabling their clinical information and full genome data from their tumor to be collected and added to the secure study database.”
“Big Data initiatives like FLEX in the U.S., and the PRECiSE trial running in parallel in the Netherlands, are a central part of our collective responsibility to deliver the benefits of precision oncology to patients with breast cancer,” said William Audeh, M.D., chief medical officer at Agendia. “With every new cancer center and every new patient that participates in these studies, we are adding to a revolutionary dataset that investigators can interrogate to answer some of the big unanswered questions in breast cancer. The potential impact of access to gene expression data from approximately 20,000 genes matched with therapeutic interventions and long-term follow-up for 10,000 U.S. patients is invaluable to the cancer community.”
Agendia’s MammaPrint test analyzes 70 genes most associated with breast cancer recurrence to provide a clear, binary Low or High Risk of cancer recurrence result, while BluePrint analyzes 80 genes, which classify a patient’s breast cancer into functional molecular subtypes. Participants in FLEX will receive MammaPrint, with or without BluePrint testing. Full genome and comprehensive clinical data will be collected and added to the study database.
Click here to find out more about the FLEX study and how to participate.
MammaPrint is an in vitro diagnostic medical device, performed as a testing service in a central laboratory, using the 70-gene expression profile of breast cancer tissue samples to assess a patient’s risk for distant metastasis. The device is FDA-cleared and CE-marked, enabling use in the European Union. The MammaPrint Blueprint next-generation sequencing-based kit is a CE-marked device currently available for use in cancer centers in select regions of the world. MammaPrint is indicated for use by physicians as a prognostic marker only, along with other clinical-pathological factors. It is not intended to determine the outcome of disease, nor to suggest or infer an individual patient’s response to therapy. BluePrint is an 80-gene complementary laboratory-developed test provided with MammaPrint which allows functional molecular subtyping of a breast cancer sample into three distinct subtypes: Luminal-type, HER2-type and Basal-type, each with marked differences in long-term outcome and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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 approximately 60 research sites and more than 150 locations managing about 300 active trials at any given time. Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 73,000 patients in over 1,600 trials since inception about two decades ago and have played a role in more than 75 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. For more information visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.
About Agendia
Agendia is a privately held, leading precision oncology company that develops and markets genomic diagnostic products, which help support physicians with their complex treatment decisions. Agendia’s breast cancer tests were developed using an unbiased gene selection by analyzing the complete human genome. Our offerings include the MammaPrint Breast Cancer Risk-of-Recurrence Test, and the BluePrint Molecular Subtyping Test, both on microarray technology, and the new MammaPrint BluePrint Recurrence and Molecular Subtyping test, on NGS technology.
In addition, Agendia has a pipeline of other genomic products in development. The company collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, leading cancer centers and academic groups to develop companion diagnostic tests in the area of oncology. For more information on Agendia or the MammaPrint and BluePrint tests, you can visit Agendia’s patient site at www.KnowYourBreastCancer.com or the corporate site at www.agendia.com. Follow Agendia, Inc. on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with the latest news.
Media Contacts
Agendia
Weber Shandwick
Heather Platisha
206-576-5558
hplatisha@webershandwick.com
US Oncology Research
Claire Crye
281-825-9927
Claire.Crye@usoncology.com
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