News

FDA Approves Cancer Immunotherapy TECENTRIQ as Initial Treatment for Certain People with Advanced Bladder Cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • April 18, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The FDA approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as a first-line treatment for people with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. The Genentech press release including Important Safety Information is linked here. This approval is important news for a number of reasons: According to the American Cancer Society, it is…

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FDA removes Risk Evaluation Management Strategies (REMS) for ESAs

  • FLASCO
  • April 13, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirements for the use of Epogen/Procrit and Aranesp to treat patients with anemia due to associated myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Below is the Agency’s announcement regarding this action: Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa are Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs), approved for the treatment of anemia (low…

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Evaluate First Coast Service Options’ Services in 10 Minutes

  • Amanda Bridges
  • April 6, 2017
  • News
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FCSO is requesting to hear from you!  Every year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) conducts the MAC Satisfaction Indicator survey to measure provider satisfaction with their MACs regarding the services FCSO perform for you. This survey is the best way for Medicare providers to share opinions directly with CMS about their experience…

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Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Names Lynn Rasys as Executive Director

  • Amanda Bridges
  • April 5, 2017
  • News
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Brought to you by a 100% FLASCO Partner: Sarasota, FL – Apri 4, 2017. . . The Florida Cancer Specialist Foundation (FCSF), a non-profit 501c3 organization that provides financial assistance for non-medical living expenses to qualified cancer patients, announced the promotion of Lynn Rasys to Executive Director, following the retirement of Valerie Vance.  Previously, Lynn was…

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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Completes Cancer Center Renovation in Leesburg, FL

  • Amanda Bridges
  • April 4, 2017
  • News
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Brought to you by a 100% FLASCO Partner Facility Offers Patients Expanded Services and Convenience in Lake County Leesburg, FL – Apri 4, 2017. . . Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, is pleased to announce the completion of its renovation of the Leesburg South cancer center,…

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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Opens New Central Business Office in Fort Myers

  • Amanda Bridges
  • April 4, 2017
  • News
  • No Comments

Brought to you by a 100% FLASCO Partner Fort Myers, FL – March 31, 2017. . . Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, celebrated the opening of its new Central Business Office, located at 2890 Center Pointe Drive, Fort Myers, FL, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which…

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astrazeneca

FDA Grants Full Approval for TAGRISSO

  • Amanda Bridges
  • April 4, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

FLASCO Diamond Corporate Member, AstraZeneca, is pleased to inform you that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval for TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) 80mg once-daily tablets, for the treatment of patients with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed…

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FDA approves first treatment for rare form of skin cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • March 26, 2017
  • News
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to Bavencio (avelumab) for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), including those who have not received prior chemotherapy. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for metastatic MCC, a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer….

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Congratulations to Dr. Sonia Orcutt

Congratulations to Dr. Sonia Orcutt

  • Amanda Bridges
  • March 26, 2017
  • News
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Congratulations to Dr. Sonia Orcutt for being a recipient of a FLASCO Travel Award!  Dr. Orcutt used her grant to attend this year’s Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Cancer Symposium.  Below is what Dr. Orcutt shared about her attendance. “The primary conference for my specialty is the Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Cancer Symposium. Each…

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FDA Approves EMD Serono’s Avelumab for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

  • FLASCO
  • March 24, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to Bavencio (avelumab) for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), including those who have not received prior chemotherapy. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for metastatic MCC, a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer….

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New NCCN Radiation Therapy Compendium™ Aids in Decision-Making for Patients with Cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • March 23, 2017
  • News
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Launched during the NCCN 22nd Annual Conference, the new NCCN Radiation Therapy Compendium™ provides a single access point for radiation therapy recommendations within the NCCN Guidelines®. [FORT WASHINGTON, PA – March 23, 2017] Radiation therapy (RT), either alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery, is one of the most common treatment options for people…

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FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Adult and Pediatric Patients with Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) Refractory to Treatment, or Who Have Relapsed After Three or More Prior Lines of Therapy

  • FLASCO
  • March 16, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On March 14, 2017, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), Merck and Co., Inc.) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), or those who have relapsed after three or more prior lines of therapy. Approval was based on data from 210 adult…

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FDA approves ribociclib in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer

  • FLASCO
  • March 16, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On March 13, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ribociclib (KISQALI®, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.), a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Approval was…

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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Expands In-House Pathology Laboratory Team

  • Amanda Bridges
  • March 8, 2017
  • News
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Brought to you by FLASCO 100% Membership Partner: Fort Myers, FL – March 8, 2017. . .Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, has one of the most advanced pathology laboratories in the state focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  Located in Fort Myers, FL,…

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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Welcomes New Physicians and New Location in Martin County

  • Amanda Bridges
  • March 6, 2017
  • News
  • No Comments

Brought to you by 100% Membership Partner: Dr. Guillermo Abesada-Terk and Dr. Alpana Desai Join Nation’s Largest Independent Oncology Group  Stuart, FL – March 6, 2017. . . Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, is pleased to announce that Alpana Desai, MD and Guillermo Abesada-Terk, MD…

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Dr. Ferdy Santiago Joins Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

  • Amanda Bridges
  • March 3, 2017
  • News
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Brought to you by 100% Membership Partner: Dr. Ferdy Santiago Joins Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Nation’s Largest Independent Oncology Group Welcomes New Physician in Collier County Naples, FL – March 2, 2017…Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, is pleased to announce that Ferdy Santiago, MD has…

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FDA Approves Lexicon Drug XERMELO™ (telotristat ethyl) 250 mg As First And Only Oral Treatment For Carcinoid Syndrome Diarrhea In Cancer Patients With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

  • FLASCO
  • March 1, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xermelo (telotristat ethyl) tablets in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy for the treatment of adults with carcinoid syndrome diarrhea that SSA therapy alone has inadequately controlled. Carcinoid syndrome is a cluster of symptoms sometimes seen in people with carcinoid tumors. These tumors are rare, and often slow-growing….

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incyte

National Treatment Guidelines for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 24, 2017
  • News
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lncyte Corporation is pleased to announce that ruxolitinib (Jakafi®) has been included as a recommended treatment for myelofibrosis in the new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs). Myelofibrosis is a rare bone marrow cancer. Ruxolitinib (Jakafi®) is the first and only therapy that is FDA approved for patients with…

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FDA Expands Indication for REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) as a Maintenance Treatment for Patients with Multiple Myeloma Following Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (auto-HSCT)

  • FLASCO
  • February 23, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On February 22, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lenalidomide (Revlimid®, Celgene Corp.) as maintenance therapy for patients with multiple myeloma following autologous stem cell transplant. In 2006, lenalidomide, an orally administered thalidomide analogue, received FDA approval for use with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma who received at least one prior therapy….

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astrazeneca

Boost for AstraZeneca after key cancer drug sails through clinical trials and could be first to market

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 20, 2017
  • News
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One of AstraZeneca’s most promising experimental drugs in oncology is on track to become a blockbuster treatment after sailing through final clinical trials. Lynparza, part of a new breed of cancer treatments known as Parp inhibitors or DNA Damage Repair (DDR), improved survival rates in patients with a certain type of breast cancer compared with…

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Support SB 528/ SB 530 by Senator Steube – FAIL FIRST/STEP THERAPY

While health insurance utilization management (restrictions on access) procedures such as fail first/step therapy may be appropriate measures to control costs, they have also been over-utilized under the cloak of confusion surrounding health care and to the detriment of numerous patients across Florida. Contact your legislator today to let them know, ultimately, healthcare professionals, not…

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Prosigna Coverage with BCBS FL

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 15, 2017
  • News
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This morning BCBS FL published an updated policy for Assays of Genetic Expression in Tumor Tissue as a Technique to Determine Prognosis in Patients with Breast Cancer.  Prosigna now has the same coverage criteria as Oncotype Dx.  Below is the coverage criteria.  The full policy can be found at www.bcbsfl.com, go under the provider tab,…

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FLASCO Hosts “Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer” Educational Luncheon

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 15, 2017
  • News
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) hosted a free “Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer” luncheon this afternoon about treatment and support for people who have this advanced type of cancer and their caregivers. Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, is when the cancer cells have travelled to…

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Oplinc Best Practices Review

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 10, 2017
  • News
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Oplinc is a national organization that was founded with the purpose of developing a collaborative environment within the oncology community. Oplinc is dedicated to preserving patients’ access to cancer services through the facilitation of education, communication and networking between physicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers and payers involved in the delivery of quality cancer care. Use the link…

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NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Head and Neck Cancers. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 1.2017.

  • FLASCO
  • February 8, 2017
  • News
  • No Comments

  NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Head and Neck Cancers. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 1.2017.  ·         Cancer of the Oral Cavity o    For clinical stage T1-2, N0, re-resection has been made the preferred…

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Humana Issues Positive Coverage Decision for NanoString’s Prosigna® Breast Cancer Assay

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 6, 2017
  • News
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SEATTLE, Jan. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, today announced that Humana has issued a positive coverage decision for the Prosigna® Breast Cancer Gene Signature Assay. Humana and its more than 13 million members join other payors now covering…

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Receives FDA Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) in Previously Treated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma, a Type of Bladder Cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 6, 2017
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

PRINCETON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Opdivoinjection, for intravenous use for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment…

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World Cancer Day: A Time for Action

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 6, 2017
  • News
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Brought to you by 100% FLASCO Membership Partner By Dr. William N. Harwin – Founder and President, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Fort Myers, FL – February 3, 2017…As an oncologist for over 30 years, I feel privileged to be able to care for cancer patients. I think about cancer every day and I…

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Flasco

Battle of the Brothers (Bryan Brothers) and Usta Men’s Pro Tennis Tournament at Kiwi Tennis Club-Indian Harbor Beach, Florida

  • Amanda Bridges
  • January 27, 2017
  • News
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Discounts for FLASCO members! Oncology Resource Networks and Craig Deligdish, MD, are honored to serve as the Title Sponsor for the Bryan Brothers Exhibition and the First Annual KIWI USTA Men’s Pro Tennis Tournament. The Bryan Brothers event will be held on Saturday, February 18th and the First Annual Men’s USTA Pro Tennis Tournament will…

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Physicians Education Resource® Partners with the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology

  • Amanda Bridges
  • January 26, 2017
  • News
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PER® and FLASCO to collaborate to develop cancer awareness and provide professional educational opportunities that enhance their missions (Cranbury NJ, January XX)- Physicians Education Resource®, LLC (PER®), has partnered with the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology, (FLASCO), to continue to promote education to the oncology health care community, announced PER® President Phil Talamo In making…

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EXTENDED DEADLINE: MD/PhD Researchers now eligible to apply for the RTAF Award

  • Amanda Bridges
  • January 25, 2017
  • News
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Apply by February 1 to be considered. MD/PhD researchers are encouraged to submit an application by Wednesday, February 1, for the ASH Research Training Award for Fellows. This award helps fellows in training pursue careers in academic hematology by ensuring they have protected time for conducting research and gaining expertise to position them to be…

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Dr. Mitchell B. Weisberg Joins Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

  • Amanda Bridges
  • January 18, 2017
  • News
  • No Comments

Brought to you by FLASCO 100% Membership Partner: Palm Coast, FL – January 16, 2017…Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, is pleased to announce that Mitchell B. Weisberg, MD has joined the practice and is seeing patients at the Palm Coast office of Florida Cancer Specialists, located…

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FLASCO Administrator Network Patient Support Resources Webinar

  On January 12, 2017, the FLASCO Administrator Network hosted its first webinar. The topic was Patient Support Resources, and it featured experts from community oncology  and hospital settings, who shared their tips, helpful hints, and tools of the trade regarding assistance programs and resources available for cancer patients. Congratulations to Maggie Wiegandt, MBA and Gail…

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NCCN has published updates to theNCCN Guidelines® and NCCN Compendium® for Penile Cancer.

NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Penile Cancer. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 1.2017. Primary treatment Tis or Ta disease (PN-1) The second option was revised: “Wide local excision .” The fifth option was…

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Consolidation Ripples Out From Florida

  • Amanda Bridges
  • January 3, 2017
  • News
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Florida is a leader in the consolidation trend, topping the nation in the number of practices that have closed, merged, or been acquired in recent years, according to the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). Most practices have affiliated with hospitals or joined large groups like Florida Cancer Specialists, one of the nation’s biggest physician-owned oncology networks….

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foundation medicine

Foundation Medicine Receives FDA Approval of FoundationFocus™ CDxBRCA as a Companion Diagnostic for Rubraca™ (rucaparib) for the Treatment of Women with Ovarian Cancer

  • FLASCO
  • December 29, 2016
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

–FDA approval of FoundationFocus CDxBRCA marks important progress towards Foundation Medicine’s development of a comprehensive universal companion diagnostic assay across multiple tumor types to advance precision medicine in oncology–   Foundation Medicine, Inc.  announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FoundationFocus™ CDxBRCA for use as a companion diagnostic to aid in identifying women with ovarian cancer…

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Expert Emphasizes Importance of Liquid Biopsies in Lung Cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 28, 2016
  • News
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Plasma- and urine-based assays designed to detect actionable mutations in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are changing the face of treatment for these patients, according to Luis E. Raez, MD. The liquid biopsies, he says, provide a more convenient and quicker alternative to the standard tissue biopsy. And, if a target is detected,…

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Expert Highlights Ongoing Progress in ALK+ NSCLC

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 28, 2016
  • News
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Frontline therapy for patients with ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poised to change in the coming years, as researchers continue to explore agents beyond crizotinib (Xalkori). “[The ALK-positive population] is sort of a small percentage of the patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung,” said Lowell L. Hart, MD, during an interview at the…

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The Role of Biomarker Testing in Advanced NSCLC

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 22, 2016
  • News
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In partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, FLASCO is pleased to provide the following video on the importance of biomarker testing in NSCLC.  Presented by Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, Professor of Clinical Medicine & Hematology Oncology at University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, the video touches on the importance of biomarker testing, continuing the focus on…

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President Obama Signs 21st Century Cures Legislation

  • FLASCO
  • December 15, 2016
  • News
  • No Comments

President Obama Signs 21st Century Cures Legislation In addition to the original intent of the legislation to speed the discovery, development, and delivery of cures, the bill became a vehicle for many other health care priorities including funding to address the opioid crisis, reforms to the mental health system and changes to hospital payments.President Barack…

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taiho oncology

Taiho Oncology Patient Assistant Program

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 12, 2016
  • News
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Taiho Oncology Patient Assistant Program (Taiho Oncology PAP) will become effective Jan 1, 2017. A Medicare Part D patient applying for the Taiho Oncology Patient Assistance Program (PAP) in 2017 who falls below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, will first need to apply for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program. Patients currently…

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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Announces New Office Location in Ocala, FL

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 8, 2016
  • News
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Brought to you by a FLASCO 100% Membership Partner: Nation’s Largest Independent Oncology/Hematology Practice Adds Clinic in Marion County Ocala, FL – December 7, 2016…Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, announced today that a new clinical location has opened in Ocala, FL. The address of the…

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Assignment of Product-Specific HCPCS Code for Portrazza® (necitumumab) for Injection

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 8, 2016
  • News
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We are sending this communication on behalf of Eli Lilly and Company to announce the assignment of a product‐specific Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for Portrazza® (necitumumab) for injection. The new code, J9295, is defined as “injection, necitumumab, 1 mg.” This code is effective January 1, 2017.1    Trade Name HCPCS Code Strength…

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FDA Approves Avastin for Specific Type of Ovarian Cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 8, 2016
  • News
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The FDA granted approval to Avastin in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (psOC), representing the first new treatment option for women with psOC in the U.S. in more than a decade [press release]. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecological cancer in the U.S., and in 2016,…

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a permanent Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code specific to IMLYGIC®

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 8, 2016
  • News
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INDICATION IMLYGIC is a genetically modified oncolytic viral therapy indicated for the local treatment of unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, and nodal lesions in patients with melanoma recurrent after initial surgery. IMLYGIC has not been shown to improve overall survival or have an effect on visceral metastases The new code, J9325, is defined as “injection, talimogene laherparepvec,…

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ccms logo

Scholarship Applications for Medical & Healthcare Students are Due March 31st

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 8, 2016
  • News
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Awards from the Foundation of Collier County Medical Society support our future healthcare professionals Collier County, FL (December 6, 2016)—The board of directors of the Foundation of Collier County Medical Society (CCMS) is accepting applications through March 2017 for its two scholarship awards: the Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship for medical students and Healthcare Student…

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FDA Approves Bevacizumab for Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer

  • FLASCO
  • December 7, 2016
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

FDA Approves Genentech’s Avastin® (Bevacizumab) Plus Chemotherapy for a Specific Type of Advanced Ovarian Cancer Approval based on two large Phase III studies including GOG-0213 that showed a five month overall survival difference for women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer on Avastin plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone In the United States, Avastin is now…

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Dr. Bennett Yu Joins Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 6, 2016
  • News
  • No Comments

Brought to you by a FLASCO 100% Membership Partner: Naples, FL – December 5, 2016…Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, is pleased to announce that Bennett Yu, MD has joined the practice and is seeing patients at two FCS locations. Dr. Yu will practice at the…

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US Oncology logo

Blood & Cancer Center Joins Florida Cancer Affiliates

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 2, 2016
  • News
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Ocala, Fla. (December 1, 2016) — Florida Cancer Affiliates (FCA), a premier provider of advanced cancer care services in Florida, announced that Blood & Cancer Center has joined its practice. Anju Vasudevan, M.D., and Cecil Robertson, M.D., oncologists and hematologists with Blood & Cancer Center, will unite with Florida Cancer Affiliate’s group of physicians to…

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House Passes Medical Cures Bill – 21st Century Cures Act

The House on Wednesday passed a medical innovation bill aimed at curing diseases, with the measure securing bipartisan support after months of negotiations. The legislation, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, passed 392-26. It seeks to speed up the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of new drugs while investing new money in medical research. The package…

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teva oncology

BEN-40399 BENDEKA Associations J Code Alert

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 30, 2016
  • News
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On November 1st 2016, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the 2017 HCPCS Code set, which included a permanent, UNIQUE J code for BENDEKA® (bendamustine HCI) Injection. Effective January 1, 2017, the Permanent J code for BENDEKA® will be J 9034 Injection, bendamustine HCI (bendeka), 1 mg. The published information by CMS…

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Vote in ASCO Election

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 17, 2016
  • News
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Through its annual elections, ASCO invites its members to choose their future leaders and guide the direction of their Society. Twelve distinguished ASCO members have been selected by the ASCO Nominating Committee as candidates for open leadership positions.

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MedPAC Holds Meeting on Provider Consolidation

MedPAC Holds Meeting on Provider Consolidation On November 3, the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) hosted a meeting on provider consolidation and its effect on the Medicare system. The discussion primarily focused on the trends towards horizontal and vertical integration among providers – essentially hospitals buying physician practices and then billing the services through their…

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NCCN Challenges Medical Community to “Just Bag It” to Eradicate Deadly Medical Error

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 16, 2016
  • News
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NCCN is excited to share its new patient safety campaign, which was announced at a press conference last week in Philadelphia. As part of its mission to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has announced the launch of Just Bag It: The…

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Genentech Launches imCORE™, A Global Network of Cancer Immunotherapy Centers of Excellence

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 15, 2016
  • News
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Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, has launched the global cancer immunotherapy Centers of Research Excellence (imCORE) Network. This network brings together many of the world’s leading scientific and clinical experts in cancer immunotherapy to collaborate in investigating the most promising new treatment approaches. The goal is to rapidly initiate pre-clinical and clinical research…

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Florida Blue and Florida Cancer Specialists Introduce Accountable Cancer Provider Program

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 15, 2016
  • News
  • No Comments

Brought to you by a FLASCO 100% Membership Partner: Fort Myers, FL – November 14, 2016…Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), the leading community oncology/hematology practice in the state, are proud to announce a new agreement implementing an accountable provider program specific to the treatment…

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FDA approves nivolumab for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

  • FLASCO
  • November 10, 2016
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 10, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved nivolumab (OPDIVO Injection, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company), for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after a platinum-based therapy. Approval was based on data from an international, multi-center, open-label,…

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COA

CVS Indicates Reversal of Decision to Block Oncology Clinics Dispensing Patients’ Drugs

  • Amanda Bridges
  • October 31, 2016
  • News
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The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has recently learned that CVS Health is indicating it will not proceed with restricting cancer patients from receiving their medications from oncology practices that dispense medications. Previously, CVS had notified patients that, beginning January 1, 2017, their oncologists’ pharmacies would be considered “out of network” and medications would only be…

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Astellas to Acquire Ganymed Pharmaceuticals

  • Amanda Bridges
  • October 31, 2016
  • News
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TOKYO and MAINZ, Germany, Oct. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, “Astellas”) and Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG (CEO; Özlem Türeci, “Ganymed”), a biopharmaceutical company located in Mainz, Germany which focuses on the development of antibodies against cancer, announced today that Astellas and Ganymed’s shareholders have entered into an…

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NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 2.2017.  Metastatic Disease (NSCL-17) Testing results modified for PD-L1: PD-L1 positive and EGFR, ALK, ROS1 negative or unknown Subsequent…

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FDA Approves Cancer Immunotherapy TECENTRIQ For People With Specific Type Of Metastatic Lung Cancer

  • FLASCO
  • October 20, 2016
  • Drugs
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On October 18, 2016, FDA approved atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ, Genentech Oncology) for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving atezolizumab. Atezolizumab is a programmed…

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CMS Finalizes the New Medicare Quality Payment Program  – MACRA

On October 14, HHS finalized its policy implementing the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) incentive payment provisions in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), collectively referred to as the Quality Payment Program. Accompanying the announcement is a new Quality Payment Program website, which will explain the…

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Announcing a Unique C-code for a Genentech BioOncology(R) product

The following is important information regarding a unique C-code that was recently assigned to TECENTRIQ™ (atezolizumab) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The C-code for TECENTRIQ is C9483 (Injection, atezolizumab, 10 mg). The unique C-code goes into effect on October 1, 2016. Payers may require its use until a permanent J-code is…

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NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Survivorship

NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 2.2016.  The Discussion section has been updated to reflect the changes in the algorithm. (MS-1) *For your reference, the previous update (Version 1.2016) to the NCCN Guidelines for Acute…

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AHCA P & T Committee Meeting Summary

  • FLASCO
  • September 29, 2016
  • News
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  The Agency for Health Care Administration conducted a Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee meeting this past Friday, September 23.  Most notable was the revision to remove oncology drugs and therapy from the fee schedule rule because changes can only be made to the fee schedules through an administrative rule process which is quite lengthy….

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Free PQRS Reporting Now Available Through QOPI®; No Additional Reporting Required 

ASCO is pleased to announce that oncology practices can now complete all of their Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) requirements through the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) platform. All users will be able to use the QOPI system to fulfill the Oncology Measures Group set of seven measures for PQRS reporting. QOPI is free to…

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NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal and Kidney Cancer

NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 2.2016.  The Discussion section has been updated to reflect the changes in the algorithm. (MS-1) *For your reference, the previous update (Version 1.2016) to the NCCN Guidelines for…

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NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Guidelines® and NCCN Compendium® for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL).

NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 1.2017.  ·         The NCCN Guidelines for CLL/SLL (previously included as part of NCCN Guidelines for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas) have…

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NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Guidelines® for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian.

NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 1.2017. Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment (BR/OV-1) First column, 2nd bullet, “An individual with a breast cancer diagnosis meeting any of the following” For the 4th…

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ASCO, ASTRO and SSO update guideline on postmastectomy radiotherapy

Three leading national cancer organizations today issued a joint clinical practice guideline update for physicians treating women with breast cancer who have undergone a mastectomy. The update provides additional considerations for physicians to determine which patients might benefit from postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). “We still don’t have a single, validated formula that can determine who needs…

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Congratulations to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • FLASCO
  • September 16, 2016
  • News
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We are pleased to announce that the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, has earned a Lung Cancer Screening Center Designation by  the American College of Radiation.   The lung cancer screening program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health…

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