The 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting may seem like history, but the
studies and data presented in Chicago will remain in the forefront
of oncology and hematology news in the weeks and months to come. In
this second issue of The ASCO Post (TAP), I call your
attention to the following important oncology-hematology news and
compelling viewpoints outlined below and presented in this
issue.
Important news and perspectives: Look
throughout this issue for authoritative and comprehensive reports
on data from the Annual Meeting, including 10 key clinical studies,
along with news from these other important 2010 oncology
conferences: the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, Digestive Disease
Week, and the American Association of Clinical Research Annual
Meeting. Plus don't miss The ASCO Post's in-depth interview with
departing NCI Director John E. Niederhuber, MD (see page 4), and
find out more about the nine initiatives Dr. Niederhuber
spearheaded to propel the development of new cancer drugs during
his tenure at NCI.
Insightful editorial from ASCO leadership: See
page 23 for an important editorial from ASCO CEO Allen S.
Lichter, MD, concerning the Medicare physician payment
problem and why ASCO is fighting to find solutions to this $247
billion issue.
Thoughtful commentary: See page 3 for a
compelling opinion piece written by Richard Boxer, MD, on creating
a new public/private enterprise dedicated to medical innovation in
America; see page 41 for a personal viewpoint from Stanley Winokur,
MD, on lessons he learned in caring for patients and simple
steps you can take to better care for your patients.
JCO Spotlight: See page 51 for a review of
important clinical research on trastuzumab (Herceptin)-associated
cardiac toxicity as published in a recent issue of the Journal
of Clinical Oncology.
TAP Caucus: Should oncologists own imaging
centers? Robert Langdon, MD and Charles
Bennett, MD, PhD, and Earle W. Lingle,
PhD share their thoughts in a pro/con discussion on this
contentious issue. See page 53. Note the Letter to the
Editor on page 55 from Dr. Ann Murphy in response to the
discussion on physician-assisted suicide. We would like you to
contribute to our Letters to the Editor department and encourage
you to share your thoughts on oncology issues in The ASCO
Post.
And don't miss In the Spotlight, page 42, in
which The ASCO Post presents a personal profile of one of
ASCO's original founders Jane Cooke Wright, MD.
Dr. Wright was a pioneer in 20th century medicine, overcoming
obstacles placed on her by society as a woman and as an
African-American. But most of all she was a pioneer in chemotherapy
taking those first small steps into the unknown and paving the way
for the giant steps to follow. Dr. Wright shares her wisdom
and guidance and some of the best advice she received, reminding us
that to help others in a worthy mission is a noble goal for one's
life.
Finally be sure to use the 2D barcode technology inside this and
every issue. See page 55 for information on obtaining your free
ScanLife application for your smartphone and accessing original
resources relevant to the news reports in this issue.
Clearly the data presented at ASCO's Annual Meeting and reported
in this issue of The ASCO Post will continue to challenge
all of us in the oncology community. In the meantime, it is our
intention that the clinical news and peer viewpoints presented
herein will be helpful in our efforts toward unraveling the complex
processes inherent in a cancer diagnosis; finding answers to
optimizing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer,
while minimizing the cost; improving the quality of care we
deliver; and always, better serving our patients.
I hope you enjoy this issue and I invite you to contact The
ASCO Post with your thoughts on how this publication can be an
even more valuable and rewarding resource.
I look forward to hearing from you.
-James O. Armitage, MD
Editor@ASCOPost.com
