(Little Snippet) SKI 606 on the Brink, et al

[Guest guest]

Bosutinib on the brink

Additional data on the potential role of second-generation TKIs will come from a

study that is comparing bosutinib (SK-606) to imatinib as a fi rst-line

treatment for CML (ASCO 2010 abstract 6502). That data should be mature in

October 2010, said Dr. Kantarjian, who is participating in the trial.

http://tinyurl.com/27pa4lp

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a.. FOCUS ON HEMATOLOGY

By: BETH NIERENGARTEN (August 10, 2010 )

" Imatinib has changed the treatment of CML, " said Hagop Kantarjian, MD, a

professor and chair of the leukemia department at the M.D. Cancer

Center in Houston. " However, there are about 2% to 4% of patients every year who

develop resistance or toxicities that require different therapies, and this is

where the new generation of TKIs [could] have a significant role: in managing

imatinib failure. " Dr. Kantarjian led a study that evaluated the efficacy and

safety of dasatinib compared with imatinib. A second study, the ENESTnd trial,

compared nilotinib with imatinib (see " CML patients' molecular response to

nilotinib continues to deepen over time " ). For the dasatinib study, 519 patients

with newly diagnosed CML were randomized to dasatinib (100 mg) or imatinib (400

mg) for one year. " Complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular

response (MMR) were used to evaluate efficacy. The primary endpoint was

confirmed CCyR, defined as CCyR on two consecutive analyses (ASCO 2010 abstract

LBA6500; N Engl J Med 362:2260-2270, 2010). "

Dasatinib

The FDA has granted priority review to dasatinib for the treatment of adults

with newly diagnosed chronic CML. The projected FDA action date is October 28,

2010, according to Bristol-Meyers Squibb

http://tinyurl.com/27pa4lp

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MEDICARE ANNOUNCES GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE IN HOSPICE CARE

" Fortunately Medicare took another look at hospice care.

Under current Medicare rules, beneficiaries whose doctors determine that they

have less than 6 months to live can choose hospice care -- but only if they

forgo any further life-prolonging treatment related to their disease. The new

law establishes a three-year " concurrent care " demonstration program at 15 sites

nationwide, in which Medicare would cover both kinds of treatment

simultaneously. " September 13, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2cxaz5f

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NEW HEALTH LAW PUTS SENIORS AT RISK (SEPTEMBER 9, 2010)

" On Wednesday, former Comptroller General M. , National Center for

Policy Analysis (NCPA) Senior Fellow R. Saving, and NCPA President and

e Fellow C. Goodman held a briefing in Washington, D.C. At the

briefing, the NCPA presented a new analysis that concludes finding accessible

and quality care for the elderly and disabled will become increasingly difficult

in the coming years under the new health care law because of draconian cuts in

payments to doctors and hospitals:

" Medicare payment rates will fall below the rates paid by Medicaid (for

low-income families) by the end of this decade and will fall even further behind

all other payers in succeeding decades. Whereas Medicaid pays about 80 percent

of what private insurance pays today, the payment rates will fall to two-thirds

of private payment by the end of this decade and one-half of private payment by

midcentury. • Just as Medicaid patients must often seek care at community health

centers and safety net hospitals today, seniors could face similar access

problems in the near future.

In terms of dollars spent: The annual reduction in spending will reach $2,300

per beneficiary by 2020 and $3,844 by 2030. "

http://tinyurl.com/2cxaz5f

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Community Ocology Alliance (COA) urges HHS sec Sebelius to stop cancer care cuts

By Ron Piana | September 1, 2010

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" Community cancer clinics, which treat more than 75% of all cancer patients, are

struggling with Medicare reimbursement. Cuts proposed in the Proposed 2011

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will a have devastating effect on the delivery

of cancer care. COA is calling for action.

" Representatives Steve Israel (D-NY), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D—FL), Artur

(D-AL), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and Betty Sutton (D-OH) have authored a

“dear colleague” letter to House Representatives. The letter asks their House

colleagues to join them in signing a letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius and CMS

Administrator Berwick to stop the Medicare reimbursement cuts to cancer care.

Reach out to your Representative to ask him/her to sign the letter that will be

sent to Secretary Sebelius and Administrator Berwick. The letter will stay open

for Representatives to add their signatures through the August congressional

break, and will be closed after Congress returns in early September. A similar

letter last fall, which was signed by 113 Representatives, was instrumental in

averting the severe payment cuts planned for 2010. "

http://tinyurl.com/2cxaz5f

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FYI,

Lottie Duthu