AJMC®: Amplifying Managed Care News, Issue 02

Designed to bring you the latest insights and expert perspectives on managed care, health care policy, and innovations in patient care. Stay informed and stay ahead—subscribe now!

ASH: American Society of Hematology

The 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition took place December 7-10, 2024, in San Diego, California.

A key presentation included results from the phase 3 AQUILA study (NCT03301220), which found a 63.1% progression-free survival rate at 5 years with daratumumab (Darzalex) vs 40.8% with active monitoring in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

“We believe that with [these] data, patients with high-risk smoldering myeloma may benefit from immediate treatment with daratumumab, and that observation for this particular subset of patients may not be an adequate option,” Meletios A. Dimopoulos, MD, said during a presentation of the findings. “Despite that treatment was discontinued at 3 years, even at 5 or 6 years, there was a continuous benefit from treatment with daratumumab.” Dimopoulos is a professor and chairman of the Department of Clinical Therapeutics at the National and Kapodistrian School of Medicine University of Athens in Greece.

The meeting also highlighted groundbreaking advancements in treating hematologic diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia and MM. Experts shared insights on emerging therapies, including targeted treatments and immunotherapies, that are reshaping patient care. Hear from leading voices in the field in this interview, including:

• Amir Ali, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacist specialist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles
• Yi Lin, MD, PhD, hematologist and oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota
• Rakesh Popat, MBBS, PhD, associate professor at University College London Hospitals in England

Access all of our ASH content here!

Managed Care Cast Presents: Navigating Burdens and Treatment Challenges of IPF

On a special episode of Managed Care Cast, a trio of experts discuss the importance of early diagnosis, treatment barriers, and therapies in the pipeline for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Featured speakers include:

• Toby Maher, MD, PhD, professor of clinical medicine at Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, in Los Angeles
• Martin Kolb, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario
• Steven Nathan, MD, FCCP, medical director of the Advanced Lung Disease Program and Lung Transplant Program, Inova Fairfax Hospital, and a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia

Low Lp(a) Testing in ASCVD: Higher Levels in Black and Female Patients

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are a significant but under-recognized driver of cardiovascular risk, especially among Black and female patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A subanalysis of the Lp(a)HERITAGE study (NCT03887520) revealed that only 14% of US patients in the US had their Lp(a) levels measured pre-enrollment, underscoring disparities in testing and the urgent need for targeted screening to improve risk stratification and care.