EGFR inhibitors and availability of KRAS testing in Canada

Jean A. Maroun, MD, FRCPC, FRCP (London)

As discussed in the Landmarks commentary by Drs. Lim and Gill on pages 9–12 of this issue of Oncology Exchange, KRAS testing helps to determine the approximately 40% of patients with metastatic colon cancer (mCRC) for whom the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-based therapies cetuximab and panitumumab provide no benefit.

The buck stops here: oncologists’ role in managing expectations

Stephan Larsson, Mb, ChB (Birm), MRCP(UK), FRCR, FRCPC

The fact that healthcare cost increases exceed overall inflation is well recognized, as is the fact that healthcare costs are consuming an ever-increasing proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) in most Western countries. The Conference Board of Canada calculates that public health expenditures are expected to rise from 31% of total provincial revenues in 2000 to 42% by 2020.