More than 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are women between the ages of 15 and 54 years—encompassing common childbearing years.

A simplified administration schedule of only 1 dose, instead of the current standard of 3 doses, of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine appears to be all women need to be protected from cervical cancer, according to new data from a study funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and recently published (Safaeian M, et al. Cancer Prev Res [Phila]. 2013;6:1242-1250).

Only 9 days after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved radium RA 223 dichloride (Xofigo) for the treatment of patients with meta­static castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) on May 15, 2013, which was 3 months ahead of the scheduled FDA review, the first worldwide commercial dose of this new therapy was administered to a patient with advanced CRPC. This event was made possible by a joint effort between 3 urology clinics in Myrtle Beach, SC, that constitute a division of 21st Century Oncology.

Approximately 77,000 healthcare providers have already registered by July of this year with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the electronic health records (EHRs) program. CMS is collecting data on early adopters to the EHR incentive program, which will begin in 2014 but is requiring providers to meet the first stage of “meaningful use” much sooner. By registering with the incentive program, the providers or clinical centers indicate that they meet the first set of requirements associated with instituting an EHR system.

Quest Diagnostics, the leading provider of diagnostic testing, has introduced a new laboratory test that identifies molecular changes to cervical cells that may signal increased risk for cervical cancer. “Given that medical guidelines now advise less frequent cervical cancer screening for women, it is more important than ever that testing for this cancer be highly reliable,” said Daniel M. Jones, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Cancer Diagnostics Services, Quest Diagnostics.

In a new study, PREDICTS, which was supported by the Lupus Research Institute, the Alliance for Lupus Research, the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Arthritis Foundation, the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Foundation, the Arthritis National Research Foundation, and a Kirkland Award, a panel of 6 biomarkers was shown able to predict which female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk for cardiovascular events as confirmed by carotid artery ultrasound examinations.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has announced the launch of its newest online journal, Cancer Immunology Research, in the spring at the AACR 2013 annual meeting. The announcement was made in conjunction with the establishment of a new annual AACR–Cancer Research Institute (CRI) award of $10,000—the AACR-CRI Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology. The goal is “to take tumor immunology from animal research into clinical research and develop promising new cancer therapies.” AACR press release; January 22, 2013

The general media and the medical press have reported on the growing shortage of physicians.

Late last year, Aetna, together with Consultants in Medical Oncology and Hematology, launched the first patient-centered medical home for oncology. This collaborative program is based on evidence-based decision support in cancer care, using personalized medicine and realigning payment structure with the goal of increasing patient treatment coordination, improving quality outcomes, and reducing overall costs of cancer care.

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