News Details

NCCN Releases First Three Chapters of the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium™

Information About Appropriate Use of Drugs and Biologics in Treating Colon, Rectal, and Anal Cancers Now Available

JENKINTOWN, PA, November 29, 2004 — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network announces an important new publication and authoritative source of information to guide the selection of appropriate treatment for patients. The first three chapters of the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium™ have been recently released and focus on the appropriate use of drugs and biologics in colon, rectal, and anal cancers.

“A variety of constituencies in the health care community look to NCCN for evaluative information to aid their decision-making. NCCN again is responding to these needs by providing evaluative recommendations in an easy-to-use format,” said William T. McGivney, PhD, CEO of the NCCN. “One target audience for the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium™ comprises decision-makers at insurance/managed care companies, PBMs, etc. who seek authoritative and definitive information to establish coverage policies. In cancer care, the issue of the appropriateness of use beyond FDA-approved labeling is critical and is addressed extensively by the Compendium.”

The NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium™ delineates the appropriate uses of drugs and biologics in the care of cancer patients. The Compendium’s identified uses are derived directly from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™, recognized and applied nationally as the standard for clinical policy in oncology. As with the guidelines, the Compendium will span the continuum of cancer care from early stage to advanced stage disease, from supportive care to palliative care. The Compendium is made available free of charge in user-friendly electronic and paper formats.

The Compendium lists disease indications and specific recommendations for use as described in the NCCN Guidelines. The end-user is also provided the recommendation category that defines the level of evidence and degree of consensus that support the recommendation. Published “chapter-by-chapter”, future chapters of the Compendium will concentrate on acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, lung cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and breast cancer. NCCN anticipates that it will require 18-24 months to develop a full compendium from the guidelines that address appropriate treatment for 97% of all cancer patients and all major supportive care areas.

For more information on the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium™ and other NCCN programs, please contact NCCN at 215-690-0255 or at www.nccn.org.