National Comprehensive Cancer Network

About NCCN

JNCCN Named as Reference by CMS for Off-Label Coverage Decisions

JENKINTOWN, Pa., October 22, 2007 — JNCCN – The Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a peer-reviewed medical journal covering the entire spectrum of oncologic health care, will now be used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and by its carriers and intermediaries as a mandated reference for off-label use of anti-cancer drugs.

Many common cancer treatments are administered off-label, and evidence for such administration is often found in peer-reviewed medical journals. CMS maintains a list of these journals to be used when decisions are made for the Medicare program about such treatments. Last year, CMS conducted a review of its recommended journal resources and determined that the list should be expanded. JNCCN joins that list effective today, October 22, 2007.

JNCCN features updates on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™, review articles elaborating on NCCN Guidelines recommendations and health services and clinical research papers discussing new advances and significant controversies and issues. The journal provides the latest information about best clinical practices, oncology outcomes and new research initiatives. More information on JNCCN, including upcoming editorial calendars and subscription information, can be found at www.nccn.org/jnccn.

For questions about NCCN or for interview information, please contact Megan Martin 215.690.0576.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. For more information, visit NCCN.org.

The NCCN Member Institutions are:

• City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center
  Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
• Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Fox Chase Cancer Center
• Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center / Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
• The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
• Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
• The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute
• Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital / University of Tennessee Cancer Institute
• Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center
• University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
• UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
• University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
• UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center
• The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center