Report on the Relative Efficacy of Oral Cancer Therapy for Medicare Beneficiaries Versus Currently Covered Therapy

Part 4. Thalidomide for Multiple Myeloma

Technology Assessment

The technology assessment program at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides technology assessments for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These technology assessments are used by CMS to inform its national coverage decisions for the Medicare program as well as provide information to Medicare carriers.

AHRQ's technology assessment program uses state-of-the-art methodologies for assessing the clinical utility of medical interventions. Technology assessments are based on a systematic review of the literature, along with appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods of synthesizing data from multiple studies.

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Contents

Executive Summary
Introduction
Methods
Results
   Efficacy
   Adverse Effects
   Predictors
Discussion
References
Included Articles
Excluded Articles
Appendixes

Prepared for AHRQ under Contract No. 290-02-0025. By Amy P. Abernethy, M.D., and Douglas C. McCrory, M.D., M.H.S., Duke Evidence-based Practice Center, Center for Clinical Health Policy Research.

Current as of November 2005

Internet Citation:

Report on  the Relative Efficacy of Oral Cancer Therapy for Medicare Beneficiaries Versus Currently Covered Therapy. Part 4. Thalidomide for Multiple Myeloma. Technology Assessment. November 2005. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/ta/thalidomide/