Study by Ocala Oncology/The US Oncology Network Shows Use of Bevacizumab Beyond Progression in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Improves Overall Survival

OCALA, Fla. and THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Cartwright, M.D., medical oncologist with Ocala Oncology and a member of the Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Pathways Task Force Committee, physician advisory groups within The US Oncology Network, presented findings from a study titled "Survival outcomes with use of bevacizumab beyond progression (BBP) in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients (Pts)" at 9:30am on September 25 during the "Gastrointestinal Malignancies - Colorectal Cancer" Poster Session at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress (EMCC) taking place in Stockholm, Sweden.

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"The data for the study, derived from the patient information entered by providers into McKesson Specialty Health's EHR, iKnowMed™, shows that patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, treated in a community setting with bevacizumab beyond progression, experienced improved overall survival," said Dr. Cartwright. "These findings are consistent with similar studies, such as BRiTE and ARIES, which are two large registry trials showing extended survival with similar results."

Dr. Cartwright led the study for The US Oncology Network, one of the nation's largest networks of community-based oncology physicians dedicated to advancing cancer care in America. This study involved medical oncologists from across the country and evaluated data from as far back as 2004 using McKesson Specialty Health's electronic health record (EHR) system, iKnowMed. iKnowMed contains more than 975,000 patient records and is used by nearly 1,000 independent providers in community-based cancer care settings across the United States. iKnowMed has also been the EHR of choice for affiliates of The US Oncology Network.

Dr. Cartwright's abstract, 6.150, can be found in the program and abstract book (available on USB at the Congress) and online at www.ecco-org.eu. The European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congresses are the only multidisciplinary and multi-professional educational opportunities in oncology to take place in Europe.

About Ocala Oncology

Ocala Oncology is a six-physician private practice in Ocala, Florida that provides patients with state-of-the-art, comprehensive care for a wide range of cancers and hematological disorders. Ocala Oncology provides patients access to new treatments and offers a brighter future through clinical research and advanced therapies. With offices in Ocala (352) 732-4032 and The Villages (352) 259-8940, Ocala Oncology provides this advanced treatment in the comfort of warm personal centers in the patient's own community.

Ocala Oncology is united in healing with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation's largest community-based cancer treatment and research networks focused on advancing cancer care in America. As an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, Ocala Oncology is united with more than 1,000 physicians and 10,000 cancer professionals nationwide. Ocala Oncology participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has helped to develop 43 FDA approved cancer therapies. For more information, visit www.ocalaoncology.com or www.usoncology.com.

About McKesson Specialty Health

McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we improve the financial health of our customers and help them provide quality care for patients. For more information, visit www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com.

About The European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress

The European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congresses brings together the 16th ECCO, 36th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the 30th European Society for Therapeutic Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Congresses to form an organized partnership with ECCO founding members European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) and the European Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOPE).

The 2011 EMCC integrates basic and translational science, surgery, radiotherapy, medical oncology, advocacy and care into one multidisciplinary mass gathering and celebration of European basic, translational and clinical studies. The first jointly organized multidisciplinary Cancer Congress, ECCO 15/ESMO 34, took place in Berlin, Sept. 21 - 24 2009, and marked a milestone in advancing cancer research and treatment across Europe by drawing a record multi-stakeholder audience of nearly 15,000 participants, and presenting more cutting-edge and late breaking data than ever before.

SOURCE The US Oncology Network