Welcome to the Washington State Medical Oncology Society Website The purpose of the Washington State Medical Oncology Society (WSMOS) is: To promote the highest professional standards of oncology practice in the state of Washington. To study, research and exchange information, experiences and ideals leading to improvement in the practice of oncology. To represent the practice of oncology and hematology in the state of Washington. Regularly Monitor the WSMOS Website for: WSMOS meetings & events Legislative updates Billing & reimbursement updates Resources & tools Oncology news Newsletter Practice Pattern Changes Survey I know that you are constantly bombarded with survey this and survey that. The link below is another survey, but it is short and straight forward. Further it will be very helpful to WSMOS in establishing priorities as we try and serve you in an era of great flux and uncertainty. I also hope to use it in an ASCO session that I have been asked to chair on the financial challenges in oncology practice. You can be assured that the survey is anonymous, so please be comfortable in being open and frank with any comments. The general results, without comments will be made available on the WSMOS website, and if we have a rapid response, at our Spring Meeting on March 12th.   Thank you in advance for your help.   Jeffery Ward President, WSMOS Click Here to Access the Practice Pattern Changes Survey Survey of Educational Programs and Oncology Practices WSMOS recognizes the increasing demand for ARNPs, PAs, RNs, LPNs, and MAs in community, hospital, and academic oncology practice settings. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has awarded WSMOS a grant to: 1) Survey oncology practices and nursing educators to help understand their respective needs, and to 2) Build a matrix to link practices willing to provide externships and clinical training with programs hoping to expand educational opportunities for their students. To this end, WSMOS requests your cooperation with this 10 minute survey: Click Here To Access the Practice Survey  Click Here to Access the Educators' Survey Click Here to Access the Current Survey Results Our Corporate Members Diamond Level Amgen Celgene Centocor Ortho Biotech Cephalon Oncology Genentech Genomic Health Lilly Oncology Millennium Pharmaceuticals Novartis Oncology Sanofi-Aventis Gold Level Abraxis Oncology Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals/Onyx Biogen Idec Eisai, Inc. GlaxoSmithKline McKesson Specialty Care Solutions  Oncology Supply/ION OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. Pfizer Oncology US Oncology Physicians Services Silver Level Allos Therapeutics, Inc Genzyme To Learn More About WSMOS Membership Visit Our Membership Page         The Washington State Medical Oncology Society (WSMOS) recognizes the increasing demand for ARNPs, PAs, RNs, LPNs, and MAs in community, hospital, and academic oncology practice settings. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has awarded WSMOS a grant to: 1) Survey oncology practices and nursing educators to help understand their respective needs, and to 2) Build a matrix to link practices willing to provide externships and clinical training with programs hoping to expand educational opportunities for their students. To this end, WSMOS requests your cooperation with this 10 minute survey. Latest News from ASCO

Updated VELCADE Label Announced On January 4, 2010 Millennium announced that the FDA has approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for VELCADE, which expands the label to include long-term overall survival data from the landmark VISTA trial and provides specific dosing recommendations for patients with hepatic impairment. the VISTA trial examined the use of VELCADE based therapy in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM). Click Here to read the press release, Click Here to read the Physician Announcement Letter Lilly Announces New Alimata Indication On July 6, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an additional indication for ALIMTA® (pemetrexed for injection) (HCPCS code J9305). Now, ALIMTA is indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer whose disease has not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. Click Here to read the announcement letter to WSMOS from Lilly. Click Here to access the updated ALIMTA package insert. Updated Abraxane Monograph in DrugDex On February 4, 2009 DrugDex updated its Abraxane monograph to include first-line combination treatment of NSCLC.  The language from the DrugDex monograph appears below.   4.5.E   Non-small cell lung cancer, Advanced or metastatic, first-line treatment, in combination with carboplatin and bevacizumab 1)  Overview FDA Approval: Adult, no; Pediatric, no Efficacy: Adult, Evidence favors efficacy Recommendation: Adult, Class IIb Strength of Evidence: Adult, Category B See Drug Consult reference: RECOMMENDATION AND EVIDENCE RATINGS 2)  Summary: In an open-label, phase 2 study presented in abstract form and as a presentation (n=50), 31.3% of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) achieved a partial response following first-line therapy with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel, carboplatin, and bevacizumab.(Reynolds et al, 2007; Reynoldset al,null). Copies of the updated Abraxane monograph are available at Abraxis Oncology’s ARC of Support – that number is (800) 564-0216, Option 3.  Representatives are available from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday. Novartis Announces Afinitor® Approved for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of Afinitor®  (everolimus) tablets, approved by the FDA on March 30, 2009.  Afinitor® is a once daily oral mTOR inhibitor indicated for the treatment of advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC).  Afinitor® is available by prescription only and package in a blister card. More information: Click Here for the Letter to Wholesalers Click Here for Pharmacy Ordering Instructions Click Here for the Labeling Revised 03/2009 Allos Therapeutices Announces FDA Approval of FOLOTYN™ FOLOTYN™ (pralatrexate injection) has received FDA approval for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma. More information is available at www.allos.com.                       This website brought to you by:   Washington State Medical Oncology Society 113 W. 7th Street Suite 205 Vancouver, Washington 98660 360.258.0443 Phone 360.695.6937 Fax wsmos@comcast.net