Prescriber's Corner

Teclistamab-cqyv: The First Bispecific T-Cell Engager Antibody for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Gwen Hua,(1) PharmD, BCOP, Ryan Scanlan,(2) PharmD Candidate, Rachael Straining,(1) PharmD, BCOP, and Daniel S. Carlson,(3) DO

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable malignancy originating from plasma cells. Despite significant advances in treatment, relapses remain inevitable, and novel therapies continue to be needed. Teclistamab-cqyv is a first-in-class, ...

Role of Luspatercept in the Management of Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Sara M. Tinsley-Vance,(1) PhD, APRN, AOCN®, Mark Davis,(2) MPAS, PA-C, and Olalekan Ajayi,(3) PharmD, MBA

Treatment options are limited for patients with anemia associated with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS). The recent approval of luspatercept for the treatment of anemia associated with very low- to intermediate-risk MDS with...

Tebentafusp-tebn: A Novel Bispecific T-Cell Engager for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Gwen Hua,(1) PharmD, Daniel Carlson,(2) DO, and Jacqueline R. Starr,(1) PharmD, BCOP

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular cancer in adults. Metastatic uveal melanoma has a poor prognosis. Tebentafusp-tebn is the first drug in the new immune mobilizing monoclonal T-cell receptors against cancer (ImmTAC) class of ...

The Current Landscape for METex14 Skipping Mutations in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Alisha Desai,(1) PharmD, and Sandra Cuellar,(2) PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA, FASHP

Capmatinib and tepotinib received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) exon 14 (METex14) skipping alteration in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Capmatinib was FDA approved in May 2020 un...

Encorafenib and Binimetinib Combination Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

Jessica Davis,(1) PharmD, BCOP, CPP, and Megan Wayman,(2) PharmD

The treatment landscape for metastatic melanoma has changed dramatically over the past few years as new medications have been developed. Encorafenib, a B-Raf protein kinase inhibitor, and binimetinib, a MEK inhibitor, were approved by th...

Tazemetostat: EZH2 Inhibitor

Rachael Straining, PharmD, and William Eighmy, PharmD

Epigenetic regulation is a novel approach to cancer treatment. Inhibition of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a method to provide targeted epigenetic regulation. Tazemetostat is a first-in-class targeted epigenetic regulator that sp...

Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf: A Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugate for Treatment of Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Emily Behren Ketchum, PharmD, Andrea Clarke, PharmD, BCOP, and Amber B. Clemmons, PharmD, BCOP

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by proliferation of plasma cells with or without production of monoclonal immunoglobulins. Management of patients with MM begins with induction therapy, typically a proteaso...

Sacituzumab Govitecan for Treatment of Refractory Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

Patrick J. Fleming Jr., PharmD, BCOP, Sylvia Karpio, PharmD candidate, and Nicholas Lombardo, PharmD candidate

Sacituzumab govitecan was initially approved in April 2020 under accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease. A confirm...

Pegfilgrastim Biosimilars: Where Are We Now?

Christopher Selby,(1) PharmD, BCOP, Breanne Peyton-Thomas,(2) PharmD, BCOP, and Parnian Eslami,(3) PharmD

In 1991, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved rmetHuG-CSF for human use. This recombinant methionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, or filgrastim, saw use in over 1 million patients in its first 5 years on ...

A Review of the Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in B-Cell Malignancies

Donald C. Moore,(1) PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, and Daniel Thompson,(2) PharmD

The B-cell receptor signaling pathway plays an integral role in the proliferation and survival of malignant B cells. Targeting the B-cell receptor pathway via the inhibition of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) has evolved the treatment of a ...

Caplacizumab for Acute Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Katherine V. Katsivalis, PharmD, and Jamie Thomas, PharmD

Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) is a rare microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Standard of care currently includes plasma exchange and immunosuppressive agents, including glucocorticoids, vincristine, and rituximab. Even w...

Ribociclib and Abemaciclib: CDK4/6 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Kristina F. Byers, PharmD, BCOP

The treatment landscape of hormone receptor–positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) metastatic breast cancer has been modernized by the identification of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibito...

Voxelotor: A Hemoglobin S Polymerization Inhibitor for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease

Avani Yenamandra,(1) PharmD, and Dennis Marjoncu,(2) PharmD, BCOP

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions of people throughout the world. Hemoglobin S (HbS) polymerization is the fundamental cause of SCD pathophysiology, which leads to hemolysis, increased viscosity, and acute vaso-occlusive episode...

Alpelisib: A Novel Therapy for Patients With <em>PIK3CA</em>-Mutated Metastatic Breast Cancer

Tori Wilhoit, PharmD, Jeannie M. Patrick, PharmD, BCOP, and Megan B. May, PharmD, BCOP

In the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer death rates are higher for women in the United States than any other cancer, followed by lung cancer (National Cancer Institu...

Polatuzumab Vedotin for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Transplant-Ineligible Patients

Melanie Douglas, MS, PA-C

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although 5-year survival rates in the first-line setting can range from 60% to 70%, up to 50% of patients become refractory or relapse after treatment (Cru...

Advancements in Therapy for Bladder Cancer: Enfortumab Vedotin

Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

The treatment paradigm for urothelial carcinoma (UC), a common genitourinary cancer, has significantly expanded in recent years. Enfortumab vedotin, a Nectin-4–targeted antibody-drug conjugate, was recently approved by the U.S. Food &...

Larotrectinib and Entrectinib: TRK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pediatric and Adult Patients With NTRK Gene Fusion

Danielle B. Dunn, PharmD

Two new targeted agents have been approved for pediatric and adult patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors with neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without an acquired resistance mutation. Larotrectinib and...

Glasdegib: A Novel Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Daniel L. Thompson,(1) PharmD Candidate, and Donald C. Moore,(2) PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid disorder that is associated with a generally poor prognosis. Effective treatment options have been limited for older patients with AML who are not able to undergo intensive remission ...

Gilteritinib: A Novel FLT3 Inhibitor for Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Dennis Marjoncu,(1) PharmD, BCOP, and Benjamin Andrick,(2) PharmD, BCOP

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common adult leukemia, with an overall poor prognosis. New agents targeting various receptors may improve treatment outcomes and overall survival. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a targetable...

Axicabtagene Ciloleucel: The First FDA-Approved CAR T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Amber C. King, PharmD, BCOP, and Jennifer S. Orozco, PharmD

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients who have had suboptimal responses to conventional therapies. Th...

Mogamulizumab-kpkc: A Novel Therapy for the Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Sutton Watson,(1) PharmD, and Justin Bradley Marx,(2) PharmD, BCPS

Mogamulizumab-kpkc provides a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. The efficacy and safety of mogamulizumab-kpkc for the treatment of relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides and Sézary sy...

A Review of PI3K Inhibitors in B-Cell Malignancies

Laura Cannon,(1) PharmD, MPH, Emmeline C. Academia,(2) PharmD, and Ashley E. Glode,(2) PharmD, BCOP

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a primary role in cellular proliferation and metabolism. Inhibition of the PI3K pathway is an emerging area of drug development and cancer research. Idelalisib, copanlisib, and duvelisib...

Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prevention in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Kori Daniels, PharmD, and Amber Clemmons, PharmD, BCOP

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects (seropositive on screening) more than half of adults by age 40. However, reactivation of detectable viral load (CMV reactivation) typically occurs only in immunocompromise...

Ivosidenib: IDH1 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Shelby L. Merchant, PharmD, Kathryn Culos, PharmD, BCOP, and Houston Wyatt, PharmD, CSP

Abstract There is no standard therapy for refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but several salvage therapies are available (National Comprehensive Cancer Network [NCCN], 2018). Recently, there have been major developments in the tre...

Apalutamide for the Treatment of Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Urvi J. Patel, PharmD, MPH, and Sarah Caulfield, PharmD, BCOP

Abstract Prostate cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer in the United States. Treatment of this oncologic disease involves a variety of different modalities including surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy. Systemic therapy is ...

Rucaparib and Niraparib in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Tyler Redelico, PharmD

Abstract Rucaparib and niraparib are two of the newest U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved PARP inhibitors, joining olaparib with indications in ovarian cancer. Both drugs have led to meaningful responses when used as monotherapy...

Olaparib: A Novel Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer in Patients With a BRCA1/2 Mutation

Sarah E. Caulfield, PharmD, BCOP, Christine C. Davis, PharmD, BCOP, and Kristina F. Byers, PharmD, BCOP

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women globally. Genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Inherited germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes (gBRCAm) account for 5% ...

Methylnaltrexone: Peripherally Acting μ-Opioid Receptor Antagonist

Tanya J. Uritsky, PharmD, BCPS, CPE

Abstract Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a common adverse effect associated with opioid therapy, with many patients never developing tolerance to this effect. There are many traditional laxatives available to help patients combat t...

Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin: Back Again

Chris Selby,(1) PharmD, BCOP, Lisa R. Yacko,(2) PharmD, BCPS, and Ashley E. Glode,(3) PharmD, BCOP

Abstract Despite the recent onslaught of approved medications in oncology, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been a disease state bereft of pharmaceutical development for decades. The long-standing first-line regimen, 7 + 3, was develope...

Trametinib: A Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

Brianna Hoffner, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, and Katherine Benchich, MSN, NP-C, AOCNP®

Abstract Trametinib is a MEK inhibitor approved both as a single agent and in combination with dabrafenib for the treatment of BRAF V600E or V600K mutated melanoma. It is a once-daily oral medication that was approved based on progressi...

Neratinib for the Treatment of Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Jennifer Miles, PharmD, and Yahsin White, PharmD

Abstract The treatment of breast cancer has been revolutionized by the development of HER2-targeted treatments for patients who are HER2 positive. The HER2 protein is present at high levels in about 30% of breast cancer patients. These ...

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin in Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Sherry Williams, PharmD, BCOP, and Miryoung Kim, PharmD, BCOP

Abstract Despite initial complete remission rates of up to 90%, long-term, disease-free survival remains poor in patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Response to salvage chemotherapy is suboptimal; therefore...

Subcutaneous Rituximab in Follicular Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Bradley J. Yelvington, PharmD

Abstract Rituximab and hyaluronidase human is a new subcutaneous formulation of rituximab that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymph...

Tisagenlecleucel: The First CAR on the Highway to Remission for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Craig W. Freyer, PharmD, BCOP

Abstract Tisagenlecleucel is a first-in-class chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for relapsed/refractory (RR) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in patients up to 25 ye...

Enasidenib: An Oral IDH2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy that affects predominantly older patients, with a median age of diagnosis around 67.  Overall prognosis is poor; however, novel targeted therapies that can potentially im...

Olaratumab: A New Strategy in the Treatment of Advanced Soft-Tissue Sarcoma

Abstract Olaratumab is a monoclonal antibody that recently received accelerated approval for the treatment of advanced soft-tissue sarcomas in combination with doxorubicin for a histologic subtype in which anthracycline-containing regim...

Alectinib and Brigatinib: 
New Second-Generation 
ALK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

The treatment of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been revolutionized by the discovery of genetic driver mutations and associated targeted therapies. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations are present in about 5% of NSCLC cases...

Lenvatinib in the Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

Venetoclax: A Novel Treatment for Patients With del(17p) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Use of Atezolizumab for Bladder and Non–Small Cell Lung Cancers

Ixazomib: An Oral Proteasome Inhibitor for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

The FDA approval of ixazomib for use in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy signalled the arrival of the first oral proteasome inhibitor, allowin...

Osimertinib: A Novel Therapeutic Option for Overcoming T790M Mutations in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Daratumumab: Dawn of a New Paradigm in Multiple Myeloma?

Olaparib in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Elotuzumab: The First Monoclonal Antibody for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Ruxolitinib in Myelofibrosis and Polycythemia Vera

Trifluridine/Tipiracil: Old Drug, New Tricks

Belinostat for Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

The FDA approval of belinostat provides APs with an additional option for heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma who did not achieve a desirable response to traditional chemotherapy agents. Read a...

Nivolumab in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Research into the PD-1 pathway has been shown to be valuable in the immune system’s ability to control cancer. Blocking this pathway with targeted therapies such as nivolumab has led to tumor response and control in some patients with no...

The First Oral Fixed-Dose Combination of Netupitant and Palonosetron for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Advancements in Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Blinatumomab

Radium-223 for the Management of Bone Metastases in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Palbociclib: A New Option for Front-Line Treatment of Metastatic, Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

Afatinib in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Vemurafenib: First-in-Class BRAF-Mutated Inhibitor for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma

Obinutuzumab: A Novel Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Pembrolizumab: First in Class for Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma

Ceritinib for ALK-Rearrangement–Positive Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Ramucirumab: A New Therapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

Idelalisib: The First-in-Class Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Inhibitor for Relapsed CLL, SLL, and Indolent NHL

Ibrutinib in Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Vismodegib: First-in-Class Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor for Metastatic or Locally Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma

Dabrafenib: A New Therapy for Use in BRAF-Mutated Metastatic Melanoma

Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine in Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Pomalidomide for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Cabozantinib for the Treatment of Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Bosutinib: A Novel Src/Abl Kinase Inhibitor for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Bosutinib (Bosulif), a new second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the Bcr-Abl protein, was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of select CML patients with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy. Read about t...

Ziv-Aflibercept Use in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

In August 2012, ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap) was approved by the FDA for use in combination with FOLFIRI in certain oxaliplatin-refractory patients with mCRC. Read about the mechanism of action, key trials, and management strategies associa...

Omacetaxine Mepesuccinate: A New Treatment Option for Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Recently, the FDA approved omacetaxine mepesuccinate (Synribo) for use in adult patients with chronic- or accelerated-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia with resistance and/or intolerance to two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Learn ...

Enzalutamide: A New Agent for the Prostate Cancer Treatment Armamentarium

The development of disease resistance to current drugs underlies the need for additional treatment options in metastatic prostate cancer. Learn the key facts about enzalutamide (Xtandi), recently approved for use in patients with castrat...

Regorafenib: Adding to the Armamentarium for Refractory Colorectal Cancer and GIST

In late 2012, regorafenib (Stivarga), a novel oral multikinase inhibitor, was approved by the FDA for certain previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Even more recently, regorafenib received another approval for us...

Pazopanib: Approval for Soft-Tissue Sarcoma

Pazopanib (Votrient), an oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that was previously approved by the FDA for advanced renal cell carcinoma, recently gained FDA approval for select patients with soft-tissue sarcoma as well. Learn mo...

Pertuzumab in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Pertuzumab (Perjeta) is indicated in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Read about key trials that led to its approval, its adverse event profile, and other implications f...

Axitinib: Newly Approved for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Data presented at the June 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting reaffirmed the use of axitinib (Inlyta), a potent and selective second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, for ...

Crizotinib: A Breakthrough for Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancer

Brentuximab Vedotin in Hodgkin Lymphoma and Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Vandetanib

Plerixafor

Abiraterone Acetate in Castrate-Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Ipilimumab

Denosumab vs. Denosumab: One Drug, Two Products, and Two Different Indications

Cabazitaxel

Eribulin Mesylate: Unique Advancement in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Sipuleucel-T: A New Advance in the Treatment of Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Methadone

Ofatumumab

New Agents in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Carfilzomib