on January 15, 2013 |
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Topics: Service Lines, Oncology, Clinical Technology, Clinical Research
Bloomberg reports that in 2012, the number of FDA drug approvals is the highest its been in the last 15 years. On average, the agency has approved 23 new innovative therapies per year, but in 2012, 39 novel medications were sanctioned for use in the U.S., including 11 new cancer therapies.
Among chemotherapeutics, the FDA also approved previously introduced drugs for the treatment of new indications, following evidence of their efficacy for additional disease sites based on similar mechanisms of action.
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FDA drug approvals reach 15-year high in 2012
on December 19, 2012 |
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Topics: Service Lines, Clinical Research, Clinical Technology, Imaging, MRI, Oncology, Tumor Site Strategy
Matt Morrill
Angiogenesis inhibitors, such as Avastin, are some of the most exciting tumor-killing drugs to emerge recently. As tumors grow larger than a few millimeters, they consume more resources and require an increased blood supply. Tumors use growth factors such as VEGF to stimulate vascular growth, or angiogenesis, to redirect blood for continued growth or metastasis. Angiogenesis inhibitors interfere with VEGF, essentially starving the tumor.
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DCE-MRI: Old technique, new applications
on October 31, 2012 |
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Topics: Service Lines, Clinical Research, Clinical Technology, Oncology, Radiation Therapy, Finance, Capital Planning, Budgeting
Christopher Pericak and David Gaffin
On day three of American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), we’ve gotten some relief from the inclement weather and are excited to resume our coverage of the 2012 conference.
Our discussions today continued to unravel some of the major themes of the conference, while also providing the opportunity to take a closer look on the elephant-sized (or larger!) particle accelerator in the room: proton beam therapy.
We’ve heard much about the importance of cost reduction in radiation oncology in general, including plenty of facts and figures, putting this field at the forefront of cost growth within the health care industry. While the community certainly seems dedicated to reducing these costs, radiation oncology is still a capital intensive specialty that requires substantial investment to solve a range of complex problems.
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ASTRO 2012: What does it take to reduce the cost of proton therapy?
