Independent Clinics Faced Barriers to Bispecific Therapies
Community oncology centers identified gaps in support and reimbursement for complex cancer treatments.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Cancer
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A survey of independent oncology practices released on September 22, 2026, revealed that administrative and logistical challenges hinder the administration of bispecific therapies. These therapies, used for various malignancies, require specialized monitoring that many local clinics struggle to sustain without additional resources.
Why it matters
When clinics lack the resources to manage potential treatment complications, patients may face reduced access to advanced cancer care. Addressing these logistical gaps is essential for ensuring that independent practices can safely provide modern therapies closer to home.
In a survey of 104 independent oncology practices conducted over June and July 2026, 91.4% reported administering bispecific therapies in-office. While high, the data show that over half of respondents face significant hurdles in hospital coordination for necessary patient monitoring.
The players
Community Oncology Alliance
An organization that advocates for independent, community-based oncology practices and their patients.
The details
Bispecific therapies are complex treatments that require careful observation for adverse reactions, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Independent clinics often lack the specialized staff hours or integrated hospital links required to manage these serious, acute complications. Because many practices are located over 25 miles from a hospital equipped to handle these specific reactions, they currently struggle to find sustainable ways to monitor patients safely.
Timeline
The survey fielding period occurred from June 2026 through July 2026.
Survey results were announced on September 22, 2026.
Health Landscape
This development highlights the ongoing struggle for independent oncology practices to keep pace with the high-intensity monitoring demands of modern immunotherapy. It reflects a broader trend of consolidation in cancer care, where administrative burdens often outstrip the resources of smaller clinics.
If you are undergoing bispecific therapy at an independent clinic, discuss your care plan and the emergency communication protocol with your oncologist. It is important to know which symptoms require immediate emergency attention and which hospital the practice coordinates with for acute management.
The takeaway
Clinics face significant hurdles in delivering complex immunotherapy safely due to a lack of dedicated reimbursement and coordination support. Patients should ensure they have a clear contingency plan from their care team regarding emergency management and hospital referrals.
Further reading
For broader trends in treatment access, see more coverage in the Cancer section.
More information
View the full COA bispecific survey results for detailed findings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstwordpharma.
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Should medical practices receive higher reimbursement for performing intensive patient monitoring tasks?
