Direct From ASCO
Pamela Kunz, MD, Named Editor-in-Chief of New JCO Oncology Advances
ASCO recently announced the upcoming launch of JCO Oncology Advances (JCO OA), a new open-access and interdisciplinary journal. Pamela Kunz, MD, will serve as the new Editor-in-Chief of this innovative journal, dedicated to accelerating progress in the global fight against cancer by providing a plat...
Rapid Guideline Update Supports Capivasertib for Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Emily A. Kuhl, PhD
Patients with estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer now have a new medication option that extends survival, according to an ASCO rapid guideline update.1 The update was designed to orient clinicians to outcomes from the CAPItello-291 trial, which led to the U.S. Food and...
ASCO Releases Resource-Stratified Guideline for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Mindy Tanzola, PhD
ASCO has released a new guideline on the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer in resource-constrained settings, where maximal setting–recommended treatments are not available.1 The guideline, designed for clinicians, policymakers, and patients, provides stratified recommendations base...
ASCO Chief Medical Officer Testifies to Congress About Ongoing Cancer Drug Shortage Crisis
On February 6, 2024, Julie R. Gralow, MD, FACP, FASCO, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), testified before the full House Committee on Ways and Means on the crisis of ongoing cancer drug shortages. More than 15 cancer drugs continue to...
ASCO and SSO Publish New Guideline on Germline Testing in Breast Cancer
ASCO in partnership with the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) has released a new guideline addressing recommendations in germline testing in patients with breast cancer.1 The guideline provides oncologists with a framework for how to approach germline testing and recommendations for who should be ...
Rapid Guideline Update on Radiotracers for Determining Radioligand Treatment Eligibility in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Brandon May
ASCO has released a guideline rapid recommendation update addressing radiotracers used for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron-emission tomography (PET) diagnostic imaging for selecting patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) to receive lutetium-177–label...
ASCO Welcomes New Rule Establishing Electronic Prior Authorization in Federal Health Plans
On January 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its rule requiring federal health plans—including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid plans, and Qualified Health Plans (QHP) on Federally Facilitated Exchanges (FFEs)—to establish an electronic prior authorization process t...
Eric J. Small, MD, FASCO, Elected ASCO President for 2025–2026 Term
The ASCO Post Staff
ASCO has elected Eric J. Small, MD, FASCO, to lead as its President beginning in June 2025. Dr. Small, a long-time ASCO member and volunteer, will take office as President-Elect immediately following the ASCO Annual Business Meeting in Chicago on June 3, 2025. An additional six ASCO members were ele...
2023 ASCO Advocacy Highlights
The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) had an immensely impactful year of advocacy work, which is possible only with guidance and passion from our members. In partnership with the ASCO’s Government Relations Committee, five advocacy priorities were identified for the year: Protecting patien...
ASCO and Ontario Health Publish New Recommendations for Systemic Therapy in SCLC
Brandon May
A newly published guideline update from ASCO and Ontario Health provides evidence-based recommendations on the use of systemic therapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC).1 Recommendations cover where novel agents fit in the treatment landscape, the management of disease in older patients with limited...
New Guideline Offers Much-Needed Support in the Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors
Emily A. Kuhl, PhD
An ASCO guideline has been developed to inform the use of systemic treatments for metastatic, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).1 The guideline helps fill a knowledge gap among community oncologists in particular, who typically do not see many of these rare ...
The Progress of Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care Takes Center Stage at Workshop
ASCO and the National Cancer Policy Forum cohosted a workshop on October 5–6, 2023, to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) consensus report, Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.1 The National Cancer Policy Forum is a convenin...
ASCO Rapid Recommendation Update Cautions Against Triplet Therapy for Metastatic Clear Cell RCC
Emily A. Kuhl, PhD
An ASCO Rapid Recommendation Update advises oncologists to avoid the use of triple combination therapy for the management of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).1 The new guidance, which updates recommendations from the original 2022 guideline, reflects findings from a phase III, double...
Association Urges Congress to Prioritize Childhood Cancer Funding, Research
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) joined with 25 stakeholders for a series of advocacy activities in Washington, DC, during the week of September 18. During meetings with lawmakers on September 20, ASCO and the Alliance for Childhood Cancer u...
CMS, Congress Must Work Together to Support Access to Cancer Care and Physician Practice Health
In letters to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) commented on provisions that impact cancer care for Medicare beneficiaries in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule, as well as...
ASCO Response to Drug Shortages Request for Information
The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) responded to a bicameral Request for Information (RFI) on the underlying factors driving drug shortages. The Association’s comments highlighted the impact of the shortages on patient care and pointed to economic failures and supply chain vulnerabilities t...
Guideline Update Reflects Recent Surge of New Data in Systemic Therapy for Melanoma
Emily A. Kuhl, PhD
A guideline update on systemic treatment for melanoma offers new guidance in several areas, including the selection of front-line therapy for patients with metastatic disease with and without BRAF mutations, treatment of patients with earlier-stage disease in the adjuvant setting, and emerging neoad...
ASCO and State Affiliates Wrap Up Successful State Sessions
After a fast-paced first half of the year, most state legislatures across the 50 states and Washington, DC, have adjourned for the year. The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and State Affiliates successfully collaborated to advance many shared 2023 state advocacy priorities, including those ...
SIO and ASCO Partner to Develop Integrative Oncology Care Recommendations for Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Cancer
Mindy Tanzola
The Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and ASCO have partnered to develop a new guideline on integrative oncology care of symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with cancer. The guideline reviews the evidence for a range of integrative approaches, including mindfulness-based interventions,...
ASCO Participates in President’s Cancer Panel
ASCO joined the President’s Cancer Panel on September 7, 2023, to highlight the numerous ways ASCO is working to advance the National Cancer Plan and achieve President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot goal of “ending cancer as we know it.” This all-day, virtual event was the first public meeting in support ...
ASCO Releases Rapid Recommendation Update on Use of Olanzapine to Treat Cancer-Related Cachexia
LEAH LAWRENCE
ASCO recently released a new rapid recommendation update that addresses the use of olanzapine to treat cancer-related cachexia, a topic originally addressed in its 2020 guideline on the management of cancer cachexia in adults with advanced cancer.1,2 At that time, there was insufficient evidence to ...
ASCO Updates Guideline on Assessment, Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy
Brandon May
ASCO has updated a guideline on the practical assessment and management of age-associated vulnerabilities in older patients receiving systemic cancer therapy.1 Among the updates, the guideline adds more detail to domains that should be evaluated in geriatric assessments (GAs) and expands patient pop...
ASCO Awarded $11 Million to Study Oral Drug Dosing Strategies in Older Adults With Metastatic Breast Cancer Receiving CDK4/6 Inhibitors
ASCO has been awarded $11 million in research funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to study dosing strategies of oral CDK4/6 inhibitors in older adults living with metastatic breast cancer. The study aims to address a critical evidence gap in the treatment of this dise...
Rapid Guideline Update Offers Key Evidence-Based Recommendations for Stage III NSCLC Management
A new ASCO guideline rapid update provides updated recommendations for the management of stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These updated recommendations made by the ASCO expert panel cover treatment options for patients with resected disease and specific genetic mutations as well as ther...
Cancer Care Providers Applaud New Federal Rule Regulating Short-Term Limited Duration Plans
On July 7, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor, and the Treasury Department issued a proposed rule regulating the availability of short-term limited duration insurance plans. The rule would restrict the availability of these plans to no more than 4 months. ...
ASCO Issues Statements on Recent U.S. Supreme Court Rulings on Affirmative Action, LGBTQ+ Rights
ASCO issued a statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action on June 29. A statement from ASCO Chief Executive Officer, Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FASCO, FACP, follows: “[The] U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action threatens to reverse hard-won gains in diversity acr...
ASCO Blueprint Report Captures Steady Progress Toward Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released its first-ever Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Blueprint Report, highlighting ASCO’s 2022 advancements in the EDI space. The report provides information on 22 initiatives that ASCO launched across the mission pillars of research, ...
Implementation of CLINICAL TREATMENT Act Advances, Increasing Access to Cancer Clinical Trials
After direct advocacy from the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and its members, in December 2019, Congress enacted the CLINICAL TREATMENT Act, which requires all states and territories to cover and reimburse routine costs of care for treating a Medicaid enrollee who is participating in a qu...
ASCO Updates Guideline on Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Treatment in Patients With Cancer
Mindy Tanzola, PhD
Results from a series of randomized, controlled trials have prompted an update to the ASCO guideline on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis and treatment in patients with cancer. The revised guideline, which had last been updated in 2019, is available from the Journal of Clinical Oncology.1 Ch...
Guideline Update Provides New Testing and Treatment Recommendations for Patients With ER-Positive, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer With ESR1 Mutations
Testing for the emergence of ESR1 mutations should be routine at disease recurrence or progression for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer whose disease is being managed with endocrine therapy, according to an ASCO guideline rapid recommendation upda...
ASCO Issues Clinical Guidance for Treating Gastrointestinal Cancers Amid Acute Drug Shortages
ASCO has issued new clinical guidance for treating patients with gastrointestinal cancers amid a nationwide shortage of carboplatin and cisplatin. The two chemotherapy agents, in extremely short supply, are essential to treating an array of gastrointestinal cancers—such as esophageal, pancreatic, an...
ASCO Updates Guideline for Management of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Cancer Survivors
MINDY TANZOLA, PhD
Cancer takes a significant psychological toll on affected individuals. Cancer survivors have a significantly elevated risk of developing a mental health disorder compared with the general population, yet their psychological symptoms are often underrecognized and undertreated. To help equip health-ca...
ASCO Member Testifies Before Congress to Urge Significant Increase in Federal Cancer Research Funding
The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) continues to urge Congress to robustly fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) in Fiscal Year 2024. In testimony submitted to the Senate Committee on App...
ASCO Congratulates 2023 Special Awards Recipients
ASCO and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, will recognize researchers, patient advocates, philanthropists, teachers, and global oncology leaders who have reshaped cancer care around the world with the Society’s highest honors at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago. Hear from select award reci...
ASCO Releases Guideline Updates for Stage IV NSCLC With and Without Driver Alterations
ASCO has updated two living guidelines on the systemic treatment of stage IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with and without driver alterations with the inclusion of new evidence-based treatment recommendations.1,2 Among the updates, the guidelines add the recently approved RAS GTPase family inh...
ASCO Member Testifies Before Congress, Urging Significant Increase in Federal Cancer Research Funding
Brian Persing, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist in Mobile, Alabama, and a member of ASCO, the world’s leading professional organization representing nearly 45,000 oncology professionals, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services and Educatio...
President Biden Prioritizes Cancer Research, Access to Care in FY 2024 Budget Proposal
On March 9, 2023, President Joseph Biden released his proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 federal budget, with an emphasis on increased funding for medical research and expanded access to health insurance. The proposal allocates $48.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an $811 millio...
EAU and ASCO Release Collaborative Guidelines on Penile Cancer
MINDY TANZOLA, PhD
Penile cancer is a rare disease with an incidence that is rising globally. Driven by a goal to offer clinicians and patients guidance on the management of this rare condition, ASCO collaborated with the European Association of Urology (EAU) to develop new guidelines on its diagnosis and treatment. A...
ASCO Celebrates the Cancer Moonshot on Its Relaunch Anniversary
“Dedicated to making a world of difference in cancer care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and its affiliated organization, the American Association of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), laud the goals, progress, and continued potential of the Cancer Moonshot initiative. Having the full support of ...
Eight Oncology Health Systems Participating in Efforts to Improve Vaccination Rates Among High-Risk Adults
ASCO is working with eight oncology health systems to develop, test, and measure strategies to improve immunization rates as part of an initiative with the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) to improve vaccination rates among high-risk adults. Through this project, known as Specialty Soci...
2024 ACA Proposal Aims to Reduce Health-Care Coverage Gaps
ASCO submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule. ASCO’s comments support proposals aimed at reducing or eliminating gaps in health-care coverage, and ...
Three Models Testing Ways to Lower Drug Costs Outlined in Health and Human Services Report
On February 14, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) selected three models aiming to address high prescription drug costs for testing by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). T...
ASCO Updates Guideline on Sacituzumab Govitecan-hziy in Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Mindy Tanzola, PhD
ASCO has released a rapid recommendation update to the guideline on chemotherapy and targeted therapy for endocrine-pretreated or hormone receptor–negative metastatic breast cancer, addressing the use of sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in patients with endocrine-resistant, hormone receptor–positive, HER2...
First ASCO Guideline for Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer Now Available
MURIEL CUNNINGHAM
An ASCO expert panel has developed a comprehensive guideline for immunotherapy and targeted therapy in patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer.1 The guideline is based on the many recent advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapy. “The role of immunotherapy has changed practice in the p...
Oncologists Applaud State of the Union’s Focus on Ending Cancer as We Know It
Julie R. Gralow, MD, FACP, FASCO, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of ASCO and the Association for Clinical Oncology, issued the following statement after President Joseph Biden’s State of the Union address on February 7. “ASCO applauds President Biden’s focus on ‘ending cancer as...
Pilot Program Shows Diversity-Focused Clinical Trial Tools Are Useful at Cancer Research Sites
Cancer research sites demonstrated the utility of new resources designed to increase the diversity of participants in cancer clinical trials, although challenges remain, according to two studies published recently in JCO Oncology Practice.1,2 The studies examine the results from a collaborative pil...
New JCO Oncology Practice Special Series Highlights Current State of Team-Based Care, Innovations, and Future Direction
What is team-based cancer care, and how has it evolved over the past decade? A special series in ASCO’s JCO Oncology Practice highlights transformations in team-based delivery models within the cancer care system and their potential direction. A carefully curated series of 15 peer-reviewed articles ...
ASCO Formalizes Free Membership for Physicians in Lower-Middle–Income Countries
The ASCO Board of Directors recently took further action to support members in lower-middle–income countries. In alignment with ASCO’s strategic goal of making a global impact, the Board elected to expand free membership for physicians from lower-middle–income countries, as defined by the World Bank...
ASCO Publishes New Guideline on Immunotherapy, Biomarker Testing in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
MINDY TANZOLA, PhD
A new ASCO guideline is available on the use of immunotherapy and biomarker testing for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The guideline provides recommendations related to PD-L1 and tumor mutational burden (TMB) testing, selection of therapy in the first-li...
Robin Zon Elected ASCO President for 2024–2025 Term; Other Leadership Positions Filled
ASCO has elected Robin Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO, a long-time member and volunteer, as its President beginning in June 2024. Dr. Zon will take office as President-Elect immediately following the ASCO Annual Business Meeting in Chicago on June 5, 2023. Five additional members were elected to the ASCO Boar...
