OncoPharm

Are we nearing the end of the Platinum Era in bladder cancer? A press release suggests enfortumab vedotin + pembrolizumab in a perioperative approach is better than the current standard of care: neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemo followed by surgery. We eagerly await seeing this data. Also, a subcutaneous amivantamab/hyaluronidase formulation is approved, which offers a much lower risk of infusion...

ASH 2025 Highlights: MajesTEC-3: Teclistamab + Daratumumab in relapse refractory Multiple Myeloma Paradigm: HMA + Ven vs. 7+3 or CPX-351 Denosumab safety & dosing in Multiply Myeloma and renal dysfunction Trilaciclib and CDK 4/6 inhibition as protection against TP53-mutated clonal hematopoiesis?

DPYD testing is more complicated than one would think! We talk through the steps to consider when initiating DPYD testing at your site. Resources below: Guide for implementing DPYD testing at your site: https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.3567 CPIC Dosing Guidline: https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.911 CPIC DPYD Resources: https://cpicpgx.org/guidelines/guideline-for-fluoropyrimidines-and-dpyd/

We are back with lots of OncoPharm updates: 1. The belantamab mafodotin REMS program details are available....and it's a lot. How will belantamab mafodin-regimens be used with the upcoming MAJESTIC-3 data of teclistamab-daratumumab? 2. The capecitabine label is updated and calls for pre-treatment DPYD testing 3. Daratumumab gets an FDA approval for high-risk smoldering myeloma based on the AQUILA...

Our 3rd and final installment in this Oncology Pharmacy Training Pathways mini-series discusses the PGYNone route. I am joined by Vineetha Thomas and Sheila Pierre to discuss their experiences in becoming oncology pharmacists, forgoing residency training, positions they held earlier in their career, and ultimately becoming thriving oncology pharmacists. This mini-series is supported by the ELO Col...

Our 2nd installment in this Oncology Pharmacy Training Pathways mini-series discusses the PGY1 pharmacy residency route, without a PGY2 oncology residency. I am joined by Kayla Fry and Amber Burgess to discuss their experience to becoming oncology pharmacists. There are some similarities and differences in their paths to their current roles (and one It's-A-Small-World shared connection too!) This...

Our 1st installment in this Oncology Pharmacy Training Pathways mini-series discusses the PGY2 oncology pharmacy residency rout. I am joined by Brooke Adams and Sarah Wheeler to discuss our experience and PGY2 training. We discuss the pros/cons of pursuing a PGY2 oncology residency with the understanding that residency training (or additional residency) training isn't for everyone. This mini-serie...

[Moving Trailer Voice] This Halloween: They always come back.... The latest revival is belantamab mafodotin, FDA approved...again. After being vanquished in DREAMM3, it returned in DREAMM7 and even Daratumumab (in combination with Vd) couldn't overcome this blindingly effective drug (in combination with Vd). This pod reviews belantamab mafodotin's checkered past and wonders what the sequels may ha...

This week's episode recaps some highlights from ESMO 2025: 1. Destiny-Breast05: T-DXd > T-DM1 in persistent HER2+ disease after neoadjuvant chemo + surgery 2. Keynote-905: Neoadjuvant Enfortumab Vedotin + pembro in cisplatin-ineligible bladder cancer 3. POTOMAC: Durvalumab + BCG in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer 4. IMvigor011: ctDNA-guided adjuvant atezolizumab in bladder cancer 5. Dynamic-III...

IL-2, one of the founding fathers of our current immunotherapy landscape, is discussed.

Maintenance therapy with ICIs (atezolizumab or durvalumab) is already established in extensive stage small-cell lung cancer, but lurbinectedin enters the chat with a recent FDA approval. Next up - tarlatamab? IMforte (maintenance lurbinectedin + atezolizumab): https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01011-6 DeLLphi-303 (phase 1b maintenance tarlatamab + ICI): https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00...

Our Landmarks of OncoPharm series returns to discuss PARAMOUNT, a landmark study that helped solidify the role of maintenance pemetrexed in NSCLC.

The long awaited subcutaneous formulation of pembrolizumab is not FDA-approved. We discuss its administration and toxicity & PK differences vs. IV use. Biotin supplementation can interfere with lots of labs cancer patients get routinely - Who knew? (Ahem, not me.) Link: https://doi.org/10.1200/OP-25-00693 POLARIX 5-year Data: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-00925

We discuss the ALASCCA study (Adjuvant Low-doseASpirin in Colorectal CAncer

The 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer just concluded, and there are several notable updates concerning treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC. 1. The COMPEL study tries to find the value of continuing osimertinib (with the addition of chemotherapy) after progression on osimertinib. The results are, well, compelling! 2/3. We now have updates on the OS benefits of osimertinib + chemotherapy (FLAURA2) an...

The 5-year+ follow-up from CARTITUDE-1 has people asking if cilta-cel can cure multiple myeloma? We discuss this data and the broad comparison to the other BCMA-targeting CAR-T product, idi-cel and a recent comparison on plasma cell leukemia. CARTITUDE-1 Long-Term F/U: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-00760 Cilta-cel & ide-cel in plasma cell leukemia: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016966

The potential breakthrough in RNA vaccine technology has been increasingly discussed on social media. This episode looks at one promising study and its early, early results so far. UF GBM study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.003 RNA Treatment Vaccine Review: https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.1384

Malignant Hematology Updates: Venetoclax dosing strategies continue to evolve HMA/Ven + IDH1/2 inhibitors: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-00640 HMA/Ven + revumenib: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-00914 Venetoclax + CPX-351: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27723 APOLLO: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-00535 Iland APOLLO editorial: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-01496 ctDNA assessment vs. PET in Large B-...

A new ERBB2 (HER2) targeting TKI is approved for NSCLC. We review the characteristics of the drug and summarize the current landscape in treating HER-mutated advanced NSCLC.

This week's episode discusses the first-in-class agent, dordaviprone and a randomized control trial that demonstrated an oncology pharmacists led to decreased rates of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in a Hem/Onc clinic. Dordaviprone data: https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.23.01134 Alabassi AK, et al. Role of a designated pharmacist in reducing adverse drug reaction rates and preventing potential medicati...

More isn't always better. Our Landkmarks of OncoPharm series covers lessons learned from the ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen for NHL. ProMACE-CytaBOM: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(20)31592-1/pdf RCT vs. CHOP (& others): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199304083281404

A brief overview of testicular cancer

A few supportive care updates: 1. Skin prophylaxis to prevent severe dermatologic toxicity with Nivo/Ipi. Note* published in JCO Oncology Practice (NOT JAMA Oncol as stated in the episode Link: https://doi.org/10.1200/OP-25-00100 2. Stampede-Metformin and how metformin has some beneficial effects in prostate cancer patients who don't have diabetes Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00231-...

Two new drug approvals to talk about (after I misplaced my notes!)

Antiandrogen withdrawal is an historically well described phenomenon where prostate cancer patients experience PSA responses AFTER stopping their anti-androgen. But does this happen with today's 2nd generation antiandrogens?