Important Updates to the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium(TM) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announces important updates to the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium[TM] Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Definition Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a disease in which the cells of the lung tissues grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Description There are two kinds of lung cancers, primary and secondary. . The following changes relate to use in the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and are as follows: * Cetuximab (Erbitux, Bristol-Myers Squibb/ImClone Systems Incorporated) - First-line therapy for recurrence or metastasis in combination with vinorelbine and cisplatin for performance status 0-2 patients at least 18 years of age with NSCLC NSCLC non (or cancer). NSCLC Non-small cell lung cancer, see there IIIB (pleural effusion)/IV, EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry (at least 1 positive tumor cell), no known brain metastases, and no prior chemotherapy or anti-EGFR therapy. * Paclitaxel, albumin bound (Abraxane, Abraxis Oncology/AstraZeneca) -- Albumin-bound paclitaxel may be substituted for either paclitaxel or docetaxel in patients who have experienced hypersensitivity reactions after receiving paclitaxel or docetaxel despite premedication premedication /pre·med·i·ca·tion/ (pre?med-i-ka´shun) 1. preliminary administration of a drug preceding a diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedure, as an antibiotic or antianxiety agent. 2. , or for patients in whom standard hypersensitivity premedications are contraindicated. * Pemetrexed (Alimta, Eli Lilly & Company) - First-line therapy for recurrence or metastasis in combination with cisplatin for performance status 0-1 patients with nonsquamous cell histology. * Pemetrexed (Alimta, Eli Lilly & Company) - Maintenance therapy until disease progression in performance status 0-2 patients with nonsquamous cell histology who have achieved tumor response or stable disease following recurrence or metastases. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and (CMS) and UnitedHealthcare have both announced that the NCCN Compendium is a reference used as a basis for coverage determinations. Other private payors are also using the NCCN Compendium. NCCN deems all indications for all drugs listed and recommended in the NCCN Compendium as medically accepted, medically appropriate, and medically necessary. In its June 5, 2008 decision, CMS stated: "Indications that the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium[TM] lists as "Recommended" will be considered medically accepted indications for the purposes of determining coverage policy." Recommendations in the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium[TM] are derived directly from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines clinical practice guidelines Clinical policies, practice guidelines, practice parameters, practice policies Medtalk Systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and Pt decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. See Psychology. in Oncology[TM]. The NCCN Guidelines are widely accepted and applied as the standard for clinical policy in oncology. Visit www.nccn.org for the latest updates to the NCCN Compendium and the NCCN Guidelines. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world's leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. For more information, visit www.nccn.org. The NCCN Member Institutions are: City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA; Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center | Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital Health care The major teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School, widely regarded as one of the best health care centers in the world Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC; Fox Chase Cancer Center The Fox Chase Cancer Center is a medical research facility and hospital located in the northeast section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The Center is an independent, non-profit institution which specializes in the treatment and prevention of cancer. , Philadelphia, PA; Huntsman Cancer Institute The Huntsman Cancer Institute is a research center in the University of Utah designed to research, learn about, treat, and prevent cancer. It was founded with a pledge, including $100 million of personal wealth, from Jon Huntsman, Sr., a philanthropist and businessman. at the University of Utah The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU), located in Salt Lake City, is the flagship public research university in the state of Utah, and one of 10 institutions that make up the Utah System of Higher Education. , Salt Lake City, UT; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA; Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital & Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital. The main campus is located at 1275 York Avenue, between 67th and 68th Streets, with other locations in New , New York, NY; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Roswell Park Cancer Institute The Roswell Park Cancer Institute is a cancer research and treatment center located in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Roswell Park, it was the first dedicated medical facility for cancer treatment and research in the United States. , Buffalo, NY; Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the most competitive and highly regarded medical schools and biomedical research institutes in the United States. , St. Louis, MO; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, Memphis, TN; Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stanford, CA; University of Alabama at Birmingham UAB began in 1936 as the Birmingham Extension Center of the University of Alabama. Because of the rapid growth of the Birmingham area, it was decided that an extension program for students who had difficulties which prevented them from studying in Tuscaloosa was needed. Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, AL; UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA; University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI; UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN. |
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