Pharma and Pathways Panel at Clinical Pathways Congress Explores Value-Based Oncology Collaboration
Key Takeaways
- Oncology clinical pathways are evolving from static treatment recommendations toward adaptive decision-support systems incorporating real-world evidence, biomarkers, artificial intelligence (AI), and patient-specific factors.
- Panelists emphasized transparency, independent governance, and collaboration between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pathway developers to improve evidence integration and treatment selection.
- Prospective phase 4 studies, improved data accessibility, and greater consideration of patient preferences and total costs could strengthen value-based oncology care.
At the 2026 Clinical Pathways Congress, panelists discussed how pharmaceutical manufacturers, oncology providers, and pathway developers can collaborate to advance value-based cancer care. The session, “Pharma and Pathways: Redefining Collaboration for Value-Based Success,” explored the transition toward adaptive clinical pathways that integrate real-world evidence (RWE), AI, treatment costs, and individual patient characteristics while maintaining clinical independence.
Evolving Oncology Clinical Pathways Through Real-World Evidence and AI
Lalan Wilfong, MD, chief medical officer at Navista, described how oncology pathways initially addressed prescribing variability and supported value-based contracting. He emphasized that transparent treatment selection criteria remain essential as therapeutic options become increasingly complex.
John Carey, director of Oncology and Medical Excellence at Johnson & Johnson, discussed transitioning from static pathways toward dynamic clinical decision-support platforms. These systems could incorporate survival outcomes, treatment costs, socioeconomic factors, and RWE to support more individualized recommendations.
Carey emphasized that RWE can complement clinical trial findings by capturing outcomes among patients whose circumstances differ from those of trial participants. However, he stressed the importance of rigorous evaluation and peer review to establish credibility.
Clayton Wright, practice strategy and oncology clinical pathways lead at Takeda Oncology, identified the volume and velocity of emerging evidence as major challenges. He advocated for more collaborative communication between manufacturers and pathway developers while preserving independent decision-making.
Dr Wilfong illustrated the complexity of treatment selection using relapsed multiple myeloma, where CAR T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and other regimens may be considered. He emphasized evaluating disease progression, toxicity, quality of life, and patient preferences rather than relying exclusively on standardized recommendations.
Strengthening Pharma-Provider Collaboration Through Transparency and Data Sharing
Olaf Lodbrok, MSc, MBA, senior vice president of Precision Medicine at Elsevier, explored how AI could combine clinical guidelines, published evidence, and patient records to deliver more relevant information at the point of care.
Dr Wilfong supported using these technologies to reduce time spent retrieving clinical information, allowing oncologists to focus on shared decision-making.
Regarding affordability, Dr Wilfong emphasized that drug acquisition costs alone do not capture treatment value. Downstream expenditures, clinical effectiveness, and longer-term outcomes also warrant consideration.
Panelists also addressed trust in AI-supported recommendations. Wright emphasized transparent evidence standards, while Carey highlighted the importance of communication between manufacturers, clinicians, and pathway developers.
Looking ahead, Dr Wilfong advocated for prospective phase 4 studies evaluating real-world outcomes and quality of life. Carey identified communication and education as immediate priorities for improving collaboration.
Advancing Personalized Cancer Care With Adaptive Clinical Pathways
The discussion highlighted opportunities to improve oncology treatment selection through more timely evidence integration and patient-specific decision support. Adaptive pathways could help clinicians navigate complex therapeutic choices while considering comorbidities, treatment history, access barriers, and patient goals.
However, panelists emphasized that reliable evidence, transparent governance, and clinician oversight remain necessary before these approaches can be broadly implemented.
The Future of Value-Based Oncology and Clinical Pathway Development
The session underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing value-based oncology pathways. Greater investment in prospective RWE, transparent evidence sharing, and AI-enabled decision support may help pathway developers and clinicians move toward more responsive, individualized cancer care.
Reference
Carey J, Lodbrok O, Wilfong L, Wright C. Pharma and Pathways: Redefining Collaboration for Value-Based Success. Presented at the Clinical Pathways Congress; November 11, 2026; Boston, MA.
