On August 14, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to elranatamab-bcmm (Elrexfio™), a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen-directed CD3 T-cell engager, for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

ONS donated a library of oncology nursing publications to healthcare providers from Ethiopia who traveled to City of Hope in Duarte, CA, in February 2023 for a three-week radiation training program.

On August 11, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the fixed dose combination of niraparib and abiraterone acetate (Akeega^™) plus prednisone for adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA variant metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test.

On August 9, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to talquetamab-tgvs (Talvey^™) for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

On August 9, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted regular approval to pralsetinib (Gavreto^®) for adult patients with metastatic, rearranged during transfection fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Nurses often cite the fact that the profession is the most trusted, according to Gallup polls—as if that is enough to validate our profession’s status. Although the COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness for frontline workers, only recently have we begun to understand the nurse’s value in the health policy environment. Nurses have a real voice at the decision-making table, and Healing Politics’ Campaign School for Nurses and Midwives is helping to make strides.

To increase access to and coverage for innovative tests that can detect multiple types of cancer, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) reintroduced the Medicare Multicancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. Bipartisan companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.  

With more than 90% of oncology radiation practices reporting staffing shortages, patients are facing new barriers to accessing timely cancer care, the American Society for Radiation Oncology said when announcing its 2023 staffing survey results. At about half of those practices, the lack of adequate staffing is delaying treatment for patients seeking interventional or palliative radiation therapy—and reducing patient navigation services—both of which ultimately influence patient outcomes.

Reinforcing a commitment that palliative care is a priority, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reintroduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), an ONS health policy priority that benefits both patients and healthcare providers, in July 2023. The bipartisan legislation would bolster the palliative care and hospice workforce and meet the increasing need for care by investing in training, education, and research.