OREANDA-NEWS. June 06, 2013. Physicians in The US Oncology Network, supported by McKesson Specialty Health, announced today the selection of med fusion and Foundation Medicine as their preferred diagnostic labs. This new relationship is expected to advance the delivery of high-quality, precision medicine and the appropriate use of molecular diagnostics, supporting The US Oncology Network in continuing to deliver high-quality, cost-effective cancer care.

"We're very excited about the selection of med fusion and Foundation Medicine to help us with our precision medicine initiative. They are both leaders in molecular testing and will offer physicians in The US Oncology Network a broad array of testing services." says Marcus Neubauer, MD, medical director of Oncology Services for McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network.

The US Oncology Network is one of the nation's largest networks of community based oncology physicians and integrated cancer care practices. Through a physician-led request for proposal (RFP) process, The Network selected med fusion and Foundation Medicine from a broad field of candidates.

Located in Lewisville, Texas, med fusion was selected for its logistical capabilities and broad clinical testing menu and will serve as the diagnostic gateway for The US Oncology Network.

Foundation Medicine, a molecular information company, was selected for its FoundationOne™ test, which offers a fully informative genomic profile useful in many cancer types and clinical scenarios. Med fusion and Foundation Medicine will also contribute guidance and educational support around genomics-based oncology. Working with both companies allows physicians in The US Oncology Network to meet the needs of patients with a variety of types and stages of cancer.

"Molecular diagnostics are becoming increasingly important in oncology care and it's imperative for physicians to have the support they need to order the right test at the right time," says Dr. Neubauer. "The US Oncology Network empowers its affiliated physicians to collaborate on important topics like precision medicine, molecular diagnostics and evidence-based treatments so that all physicians in The Network have easy access to the tools, resources and support necessary to provide patients with high-quality cancer care."

By working with med fusion and Foundation Medicine, physicians in The US Oncology Network will have a simplified technology solution that will streamline ordering and data collection, provide access to and guidance about use of the most advanced cancer testing, and support US Oncology Research clinical trials.

"There is an onslaught of new tumor profile tests from clinical labs. We would like to give physicians in The Network guidance on which tests to order for which patients and help payers understand how these tests will improve patient care and potentially reduce overall cost of care," says Neubauer.

 "Clinical trials are a critical part of patient care, and molecular data is now often required to enroll patients in trials," says Steve Jones, MD, medical director for US Oncology Research, a nationwide network of physician investigators supported by McKesson Specialty Health. "This initiative will improve our ability to identify and enroll patients in these targeted trials."

Precision Medicine-the tailoring of medical treatment to the genetic characteristics of each patient's tumor-is a priority for The US Oncology Network as more therapies become targeted to specific genetic mutations. Tumor profiles provide varying amounts of genomic information on a patient's tumor. Many companies, both large and small, are offering these tests and prevalence is expected to grow.

"A great deal of variability exists today. As a network of cancer care doctors dedicated to identifying and driving solutions for the delivery of quality cancer care, we, in The US Oncology Network, are determined to understand and provide guidance as to which tests are necessary to determine which treatment is most effective for which patients," says Neubauer.

In addition to its molecular diagnostic initiative, The US Oncology Network is driving several other precision medicine related initiatives including the development of diagnostic pathways, which will be critical as the complexity of diagnostics grows. Testing and implementing diagnostic pathways is another way The US Oncology Network will help clinicians address variations in treatment to help improve care, while having a positive impact on oncology cost trends.

About The US Oncology Network
The US Oncology Network is the nation's largest network of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. A physician-led organization, The US Oncology Network unites like-minded physicians and clinicians around a common vision of improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, precise evidence-based guidelines and quality measurements, physicians within The US Oncology Network are pioneering new ways to achieve this vision. The US Oncology Network is committed to strengthening patient access to integrated care in local communities across the nation, including collaboration with a variety of regional payers, hospitals and academic institutions. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About McKesson Specialty Health
McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system by helping community practices advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we focus on improving the financial health of our customers so they may provide the best care to their patients. For more information, visit www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com.

About US Oncology Research
Supported by McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network, US Oncology Research draws from a network of experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves approximately 80 research sites and nearly 225 locations managing about 225 active trials at any given time. Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 55,000 patients in over 1,200 trials since inception in 1992 and have contributed to the development of 46 cancer therapies approved by the FDA. For more information call (800) 482-6700, option 4 or visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.