February 2008

Topics covered in this issue include: 1) A Need to Better Manage Use of CT Scans to Avoid Excess Cancer Risk? 2) Fuller Disclosure in Doctor-Ranking Models Nationwide 3) Which Is More Cost Effective: Rituximab or Stem-Cell Transplant for Follicular Lymphoma? 4) Colorectal Cancer Screening in Medicare Patients Still Largely Ignored 5) Does Quality of Life Vary Among Chemotherapies in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer? 6) Insurer and Oncology Group Begin Pay-for-Performance Arrangement 7) Patients With Health Insurance Have Better Cancer Outcomes

Physicians' Financial News focuses on news-making and/or notable companies in the oncology/biotech sector. In this issue: Millennium Pharmiceuticals, Inc.: Future Looking Bright After Record 2007 Eisai Co., Ltd.: Eisai Purchases MGI Pharma Amgen, Inc.: Denosumab Linked With Increased Bone Density in Breast Cancer Patients Genzyme Corporation: Thyrogen Captures New Thyroid Cancer� Related Indication

A collection of cancer statistics and facts.

The Clinical Trials reported in this issue include: PHASE III: 1) What Factors Predict Prognosis in Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma? 2) Treatment for Patients With High-Risk Postoperative Breast Cancer PHASE II: 1) Epratuzumab Plus Rituximab Equals Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Response 2) Topotecan Added to Twice-Daily Chemoradiation to Treat Limited- Stage, Small-Cell Lung Cancer 3) First-Line Therapy for Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer 4) Radiotherapy for Nasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Therapy PHASE I/II: 1) A New Combination Approach for Advanced-Stage Germ-Cell Tumors

Articles in this issue include: 1) South Korea: Is Intermittent Imatinib Therapy for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia an Option? Genetic Marker Predicts Treatment Resistance and Poor Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer 2) France: Pelvic Radiation in Addition to Prostate Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer 3) Multiple Sites in Europe: European Guidelines for Oral Mucositis Released 4) Japan: The Care of Delirium in Terminal Illness and Bereavement Needs 5) The Netherlands: Cancer Pain and Adherence to Analgesic Treatment 6) Switzerland, Belgium & France: Confirmation of Gene Expression Link to Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer

1) Lenalidomide (Revlimid) has been granted orphan medicinal product designation by the European Commission (EC) for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 2) Treatment With Cetuximab May Enable Complete Surgical Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases

New research suggests that a common but controversial treatment for prostate cancer reduces long-term death rates without greatly boosting patients' risk of heart problems.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) held its 49th Annual Meeting at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in December. The following reports provide summary coverage of meeting highlights, primarily focusing upon notable research breakthroughs relating to hematological malignancies.

This month we report from the American Society of Hematology's 49th Annual Meeting, which took place in Atlanta. Our pages provide summary coverage of meeting highlights, primarily focusing on notable research breakthroughs relating to hematological malignancies, including advances in multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma. Our regular columns--Global Reports, Clinical Trial Reports, Physicians' Financial News, and Reimbursement and Managed Care--offer practicing oncologists perspectives needed to keep current in the industry.