Key research highlights include presentations on lung and ovarian cancers, value-based care, health technologies and health disparities
THE WOODLANDS, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–During the scientific program of the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, principal investigators from US Oncology Research, The US Oncology Network (The Network) and Ontada® will present detailed results from more than 80 studies. Presentations include 10 oral sessions on topics including lung and ovarian cancers, as well as research involving value-based care and the use of health technologies. The ASCO Annual Meeting, a leading conference delivering the latest in cancer science to the global community, will be held June 3-7, 2022 in Chicago.
“The oncology community is constantly transforming, and past discoveries provide rationale for the community structures we have today, but new challenges, like changes in the healthcare landscape, will always present themselves,” said Robert L. Coleman, MD, chief scientific officer, US Oncology Research. “The strengths of community-based research and dedication to improving patients’ outcomes and cancer care experience provide the tenacity needed to turn these challenges into opportunities. Our team of community-based researchers are committed to advancing research, offering ways for patients to receive care from virtual locations, and making access to leading treatments possible for a myriad of patients more than ever before.”
MYLUNG Consortium Data to be Highlighted in Two Presentations
Included in the research presentations during this year’s meeting will be findings from Protocol 2 of the Molecularly Informed Lung Cancer Treatment in a Community Cancer Network: A Pragmatic Consortium™ (MYLUNG Consortium) clinical trial platform in non-small cell lung cancer (Abstract #1503), which will be presented during an oral session by Elizabeth Koselke, PharmD, BCOP, senior clinical pharmacist with The Network. Protocol 2 of the study platform included an examination of an oncology clinical pharmacist on the research team and the impact on clinical trial enrollment. The abstract “Impact of oncology clinical pharmacist intervention on clinical trial enrollment in The US Oncology Network’s MYLUNG Consortium,” will be featured in the “Care Delivery and Regulatory Policy” session on Monday, June 6 at 4 p.m.
“This is one of the first studies that looked at the effectiveness of pharmacists in this role,” said Koselke. “Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to make an impact on all aspects of care, including potentially identifying a patient who may qualify for a clinical study. Enrolling clinical studies has become more challenging, and community research teams need to be more efficient when identifying potential candidates in order to generate meaningful advances at a faster rate. Our hope is that the impact seen within the MYLUNG Consortium will advance how we think and assemble clinical research teams.”
In addition to the oral presentation, Nicholas Robert, MD, chief medical officer of Ontada, will lead a poster presentation (Abstract #9004) from a retrospective study of MYLUNG Consortium Protocol 1. The abstract, “Predictors of biomarker testing among patients (pts) with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC),” analyzes the impact of clinical and/or social factors (such as race, histology and clinical practice size) on undertested populations. These data will be presented during the “Lung Cancer—Non-Small Cell Metastatic” session, which will be held Monday, June 6 at 8 a.m.
Additional Featured Research Selected for Presentation
An oral presentation (Abstract #LBA5500) on a phase 3 study evaluating rucaparib monotherapy titled, “ATHENA–MONO (GOG-3020/ENGOT-ov45): A randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial evaluating rucaparib monotherapy versus placebo as maintenance treatment following response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian cancer,” was co-authored by Dr. Coleman. These data will be presented during the “Gynecologic Cancer” session on Monday, June 6 at 8 a.m.
“Survivorship of women with advanced ovarian cancer has improved, primarily the result of two key agents, bevacizumab and the Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. In the ATHENA trial, we demonstrate the substantial efficacy and safety of a third agent (rucaparib) for primary maintenance treatment,” said Dr. Coleman. “Our team looks forward to presenting our findings involving PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors and their potential as therapeutic options for patients in this population.”
Alexander I. Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, director of the thoracic and Phase I program for Virginia Cancer Specialists, a practice in The Network, will have an oral presentation (Abstract #9002) on the effect of adagrasib (MRTX849) in patients with NSCLC titled, “KRYSTAL-1: Activity and safety of adagrasib (MRTX849) in patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring a KRASG12C mutation.” These data will be presented during the “Lung Cancer—Non-Small Cell Metastatic” session on Friday, June 3 at 1:24 p.m.
Additional key NSCLC data presentations involving Dr. Spira’s research include a late breaking abstract (#LBA9009) titled “Activity of adagrasib (MRTX849) in patients with KRASG12C-mutated NSCLC and active, untreated CNS metastases in the KRYSTAL-1 trial,” which is being held during the “Including the Excluded: Advancing Care for All Patients With Lung Cancer” clinical symposium on Monday, June 6 at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Spira was also involved in the research featured in (Abstract #9008), “Amivantamab in patients with NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping mutation: Updated results from the CHRYSALIS study,” selected for oral presentation during the “Lung Cancer—Non-Small Cell Metastatic” session, which will be held on Friday, June 3 at 3:24 p.m.
“Immunotherapy research will ultimately lead to greater knowledge and more precise treatments for patients,” said Dr. Spira. “There is still so much to learn in the area of precision oncology and targeted therapies in NSCLC, and we are constantly working towards ways to develop new and effective therapies that can create better outcomes for patients. The vital research showcased in this clinical symposium and oral presentations on the effect of adagrasib (MRTX849) and amivantamab in patients with NSCLC will help inform the clinical development of these targeted therapies and explain their potential clinical utility and promise.”
Featured Health Technology-Related Research
An oral presentation (Abstract #1507) evaluating health technologies and their impact on quality of care and health disparities was co-authored by Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president of public policy, payer relations and strategic initiatives at Texas Oncology, a practice in The Network. The presentation titled, “Evaluating mass implementation of digital health solutions to improve quality and reduce disparities in a large multisite community oncology practice,” will be presented during the “Care Delivery and Regulatory Policy” session on Monday, June 6 at 5:12 p.m.
“Digital health solutions engage patients with our clinical teams and improve patient care,” said Dr. Patt. “These solutions reduce response time for symptomatic patients and improve transparency and health literacy improving the partnership between our clinical teams and the patients we serve. Digital health solutions are of great value for all patients, especially those classified as ‘at risk’. I am grateful to be part of a practice leading some of these important efforts.”
An abstract (#1521) evaluating the usage of a machine learning (ML) model titled “The initial outcome of deploying a mortality prediction tool at community oncology practices,” will be presented during the “Care Delivery and Regulatory Policy” poster session. The ML model predicted 90-day mortality risk for patients with metastatic cancer and was designed to facilitate earlier end-of-life discussions, including hospice care, with the patients. These results, researched by members of The US Oncology Network, will be delivered on Saturday, June 4 at 1:15 p.m.
“Aligning care at the end of life with patients’ goals and values helps reduce the likelihood of undesirable hospitalization, ICU stays and side effects of therapy,” said Ping Ye, PhD, a senior data scientist for The Network. “We deployed a predictive mortality tool to The Network practices to help physicians proactively initiate care discussions earlier with identified patients, allowing them access to care aligned with their wishes as they near life’s final stages.”
You can find the full schedule of affiliated data presentations from US Oncology Research, The US Oncology Network and Ontada including author details, here. For more information or to interview a trial investigator, contact Claire Crye at 281.825.9927 or Claire.Crye@usoncology.com, Edie DeVine at 209.814.9564 or Edie.DeVine@gcihealth.com, or Ryan Mathre at 651.335.2338 or Ryan.Mathre@mckessson.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 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 170 locations, managing about 500 active trials at any given time. For the past 20 years, physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 91,000 patients in approximately 2,000 trials and have played a role in over 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. US Oncology Research is supported by McKesson Corporation.
About Ontada
Ontada® is an oncology real-world data and evidence, clinical education and provider technology business dedicated to transforming the fight against cancer. Part of McKesson Corporation, we support science through our data, technology, and channels, which accelerate innovation for life sciences companies, support the education of community oncology providers and advance patient care. Together with our partners, we improve the lives of cancer patients. For more information, visit ontada.com or follow @OntadaOncology.
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
Ontada
Ryan Mathre, Public Relations
651.335.2338 ryan.mathre@mckesson.com