The variety of ongoing research in cancer has never been more dynamic. Increased understanding into the pathogenesis of cancers, intriguing research into the development of new treatments, the establishment of advanced methods of identifying actionable targets for treatment, and improved strategies for managing adverse events occurring with therapy are among the up-to-the-minute topics in the field.
This new feature in Oncology Practice Management is a compendium of pioneering work by established and up-and-coming hematology oncology pharmacists and other healthcare providers working in a variety of oncology settings who published abstracts in the March issue of the Journal of Hematology Oncology Pharmacy, the official publication of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA). We aim to highlight this important research and follow up with our readers when it is published as a full article.
HOPA Annual Conference 2024 Platform Presentations
Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide, Tacrolimus, and Mycophenolate vs Tacrolimus and Methotrexate as GVHD Prevention Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant With Myeloablative Conditioning
Presenting Authors: Mary C. Cash, PharmD, BCOP, and Erin M. Eberwein, PharmD, BCOP, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC
Co-Authors: Elizabeth R. Eubanks, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, BCOP, and Daniel Schrum, PharmD, BCOP, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC; Joshua Burrows, MS, and Hui-Jie Lee, PhD, Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Durham, NC
BACKGROUND: The use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate (PTCy-Tac-MMF) has gained popularity for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) with an HLA-matched related donor (MRD) or an HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) donor. Although the results of BMT-CTN 1703 solidified the role of PTCy-Tac-MMF as standard of care following reduced-intensity conditioning, limited data exist evaluating its use following myeloablative conditioning.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of PTCy-Tac-MMF and tacrolimus and methotrexate (Tac-MTX) as GVHD prevention among patients who underwent HSCT from a MRD or MUD following myeloablative conditioning.
Remote Outpatient Temperature Monitoring for Early Detection of Febrile Neutropenia After High-Dose Cytarabine Consolidation Chemotherapy (the REMEDY Trial)
Presenting Authors: Emily Behren Ketchum, PharmD, BCOP, Wellstar-MCG Health Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA; Amber B. Clemmons, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Augusta, GA
Co-Authors: Stephanie Daniels, PA-C, and Sarah Jimenez, DNP, APN-BC, AGACNP, AOCNP, Wellstar-MCG Health Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA; Mohammad Mian, MD, PhD, MPH, and Locke J. Bryan, MD, Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Wellstar-MCG Health Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA
BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication of high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) consolidation for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Early detection may limit negative sequelae. Although continuous temperature monitoring via commercially available remote temperature monitoring transdermal patch (RTM-patch) is reported to detect FN earlier than intermittent manual monitoring in hospitalized patients, evaluation in the outpatient oncology setting is lacking.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a remote continuous temperature monitoring device for early detection of FN after HiDAC.
Survey of PGY-2 Oncology Residency Program Directors to Assess Current Resources and Effects on Burnout
Presenting Author: Eugene R. Przespolewski, PharmD, BCOP, DPLA, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
Co-Authors: Alharith Abdel-Arazzaq, University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Buffalo, NY; Sarah Mullin Falls, MS, PhD, and Grazyna Riebandt, PharmD, BCOP, DPLA, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
BACKGROUND: Many hematology-oncology pharmacists have reported high burnout levels for reasons including increased hours worked and administrative requirements in a recently completed survey. This has resulted in challenges in recruiting and retaining hematology-oncology pharmacists in addition to already demanding clinical responsibilities. Oncology PGY-2 residency program directors (OPGY-2 RPDs) are particularly vulnerable with voluminous regulations and administrative requirements to conduct a residency program in addition to clinical responsibilities. Neither the well-being of OPGY-2 RPDs nor the implementation and impact of additional resources have been described.
OBJECTIVES: The goals are to describe the status, structure, support for RPDs, and time requirements of OPGY-2 across the country, and to provide a well-being assessment of these RPDs to capture the level of burnout.
Predictive Factors of Dose Reduction Among Patients Treated With Palbociclib for Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer in a Real-World Setting
Presenting Authors: Sandra Savignac, PharmD, MSc, CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Marianne Boyer, BPharm, MSc, BCOP, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Co-Authors: Christine Messier, BPharm, MSc, BCOP, and Marie-Lawrence Monfette, PharmD, MSc, BCOP, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Nathalie Letarte, PharmD, MSc, BCOP, Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
BACKGROUND: The Canadian palbociclib monograph recommends a starting dose of 125 mg/day and subsequent dose reductions during treatment if adverse events occur. However, in practice, clinicians sometimes choose to initiate palbociclib at a lower dose to prevent the occurrence of adverse events in patients who are considered more likely to have them.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify baseline patient characteristics that may predict the need for palbociclib dose reduction during treatment. The secondary objectives were to describe treatment patterns and clinical outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS), in patients treated with palbociclib at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). The study also aimed to identify the frequency and type of interventions carried out by oncology pharmacists for these patients.
