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Review
. 2018 May;6(9):166.
doi: 10.21037/atm.2018.03.28.

Financial toxicity and implications for cancer care in the era of molecular and immune therapies

George Tran  1 , S Yousuf Zafar  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Financial toxicity and implications for cancer care in the era of molecular and immune therapies

George Tran et al. Ann Transl Med. 2018 May.

Abstract

Molecular and immune therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment and improved patient outcomes and survival. However, the pricing of these drugs has become an issue as the cost of cancer care continues to rise significantly. Cost sharing policies have increased out-of-pocket expenses for patients, leading to poorer financial well-being, quality of life, psychosocial health, and treatment adherence. In this review, we briefly examine some factors affecting the pricing of these new targeted therapies; the effects of financial toxicity on patients; and highlight potential health policy and patient-provider level interventions to address these issues.

Keywords: Cost; drug pricing; financial burden; immuno-oncology; insurance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: Dr. SY Zafar reports the following potential conflicts of interest: employment, Novartis (spouse); stocks, Novartis (spouse); consulting, AIM Speciality Health. DR. G Tran has no conflicts of interest to declare.

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