Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.
What Adjunct Therapies Are Most Effective for IBS, IBD?
A study suggests that adjunct therapies, including the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and cognitive behavioral therapy, may help alleviate persistent digestive symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), alongside standard drug treatments.
Personalized Medicine in GI Cancer: Transforming Treatment With Technology, Lifestyle Insights
Tiago Biachi, MD, PhD, highlighted the transformative role of personalized medicine in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer treatment through advances in next-generation sequencing and circulating tumor DNA, while emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in prevention and recurrence.
How Early Detection, Precision Medicine Can Impact Lung Cancer Outcomes
Edgardo S. Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO, emphasized the need to eliminate the stigma around smoking in lung cancer, highlighted the importance of early detection and discussed how advances in precision medicine, genomic studies, and targeted therapies have improved patient outcomes and reduced health care costs.
Challenges in GERD Diagnosis and Treatment: The Need for a Multidisciplinary Approach
A recent review emphasizes the need for personalized treatment strategies and a multidisciplinary approach to effectively manage the various subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), highlighting the challenges of diagnosis and treatment, particularly in cases with refractory symptoms.
Combining Liquid and Tissue Biopsies for Better Lung Cancer Care
Edgardo S. Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO, discussed the barriers to precision medicine in lung cancer treatment, including patient concerns about technology understanding and insurance coverage, as well as the reliance on traditional tissue biopsies, emphasizing the benefits of combining liquid and tissue biopsies to improve treatment outcomes and clinical trial eligibility.
Empowering Patients With GI Cancer: Overcoming Immunotherapy Limitations
Tiago Biachi, MD, PhD, discusses the challenges of treating gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, particularly the limited effectiveness of immunotherapy for "cold tumors" and the need to make them more responsive to immune treatments.
ERISA Industry Committee Sues Minnesota Over PBM Law
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Industry Committee filed a legal challenge against the Minnesota Department of Commerce, arguing that Minnesota’s Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Licensure and Regulation Act illegally interfered with employer-sponsored health plans by restricting plan design options and increasing costs.
FDA Approves Tislelizumab-jsgr as First-Line Therapy for HER2– Gastric Cancers
Tislelizumab-jsgr (Tevimbra) was approved in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative (HER–) gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJ) in adults whose tumors express PD-L1.
Revolutionizing Lung Cancer Care: The Impact of Liquid Biopsies
Edgardo S. Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO, highlighted how liquid biopsies are transforming lung cancer care by enabling faster, less invasive diagnostics, with key applications in early detection, predictive biomarker identification, treatment response monitoring, resistance mechanism assessment, and minimal residual disease detection.
AI in Oncology: Opportunities and Challenges for NSCLC
Ryan Nguyen, DO, University of Illinois Chicago, highlights the importance of personalized care for patients who have non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology, while cautioning against its limitations, including the risk of unsupported recommendations.
Precision Oncology in NSCLC: Overcoming Patient Selection Barriers
Ryan Nguyen, DO, physician and researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago, emphasizes the transformative impact of immunotherapy in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the need for precise biomarkers and equitable access to advanced treatments through systemic testing protocols.
From Approval to Practice: Addressing the Hurdles in Biosimilar Integration
Recent discussions at an Institute for Value-Based Medicine event highlighted the significant potential of biosimilars in reshaping the health care landscape, despite facing considerable barriers to adoption.
Optimizing Outcomes in NSCLC With Precision Medicine and Teamwork
Divya Gupta, MD, assistant professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized the transformative role of biomarker-driven therapies in advancing non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment and highlighted the critical importance of multidisciplinary collaboration.
Balancing Cutting-Edge Therapies With Cost in Multiple Myeloma Treatment
Matias Sanchez, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, discussed recent advancements in multiple myeloma treatment, including the potential of cell therapies and bispecific antibodies.
From Data to Dialogue: Transforming Oncology With Real-World Evidence
Sandra Cuellar, PharmD, from the University of Illinois Chicago, highlights the critical role of real-world data in shaping reimbursement models for oncology therapies and emphasizes the growing importance of patient-centered care through shared decision-making, precision medicine, and patient-reported outcomes.
Transforming Multiple Myeloma Care With Education and Advanced Therapies
Matias Sanchez, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois Chicago, emphasizes the importance of patient education and caregiver involvement in managing complex therapies and advises oncologists to confidently integrate advanced treatments.
Revolutionizing NSCLC Care With Circulating Tumor DNA and MRD Assays
Divya Gupta, MD, assistant professor at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, discussed the potential of using circulating tumor DNA and minimal residual disease (MRD) assays for personalized treatment in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while emphasizing the unmet need for effective second-line therapies for patients without driver mutations.
Optimizing the Role of Oncology Pharmacists in Outpatient Care for Advanced Therapies
Oncology pharmacists play a vital role in managing complex outpatient therapies by assessing patient suitability, educating patients, and implementing protocols to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Understanding Cognitive Aging: Insights From 25-Year Study
A 25-year study of the Lothian Birth Cohorts found that childhood intelligence, lifestyle factors, and brain white matter health significantly impact cognitive aging and longevity, highlighting the importance of consent, ethics, and biological sample collection in ongoing research.
FDA Q&A: Addressing Biosimilar Safety, AI in Drug Development, and Supply Chain Challenges
In a Q&A, an FDA spokesperson discusses efforts to reduce misinformation about biosimilars through education, the agency’s collaboration with global regulators to streamline development, and its work to address drug shortages while emphasizing safety, efficacy, and public trust.
Exploring the Complexities of Biosimilars and Interchangeability
A panel of industry experts discussed the complexities of biosimilars and interchangeability, emphasizing the challenges in adoption, the need for regulatory and legislative solutions, and the importance of education to combat misinformation.
Navigating Racial Disparities in Psoriatic Arthritis: Insights From Patient-Reported Outcomes
Individuals with self-reported moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis (PsA) face a higher disease burden, particularly among Black participants, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the interplay between PsA severity and racial and ethnic disparities.