Pharmacist-Led Patient Education, Unmet Needs, and Overcoming Barriers in BCMA-Targeted Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

In 'Pharmacist-Led Patient Education, Unmet Needs, and Overcoming Barriers in BCMA-Targeted Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma,' the expert oncologists and oncology pharmacists explored the following questions:

What are best practices for pharmacists in educating patients receiving B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted therapies?

What are the remaining unmet needs for successful utilization of BCMA-targeted therapies in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)?

How can pharmacists be at the front line for overcoming any barriers?

Zahra Mahmoudjafari outlined best practices for pharmacist-led patient education across all three BCMA-directed therapy classes, emphasizing the importance of tailored, proactive counseling that accounts for the unique toxicity profiles of each agent, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity risk with CAR T-Cell therapies and bispecific antibodies, ocular symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eye with belantamab mafodotin, and infection risk across all modalities, while also stressing the critical role of care partners in recognizing and escalating adverse events early. Al-Ola Abdallah identified treatment sequencing as the most pressing remaining unmet need, noting that prospective data are needed to determine the optimal order of BCMA-directed agents, whether patients benefit from re-exposure to a BCMA-directed therapy after prior exposure, and how to incorporate GPRC5D-targeting agents into sequencing strategies, while also reiterating that access barriers continue to prevent some patients from receiving any BCMA-directed therapy despite the availability of three distinct drug classes. Dr. Mahmoudjafari described the multidimensional role pharmacists can play in overcoming these barriers, serving as clinical translators who understand trial data and safety profiles, operational leaders who build infrastructure and toxicity management protocols, financial navigators who manage prior authorizations and patient assistance programs, and contributors to real-world evidence through publication and research efforts.

Throughout the conversation, the experts provided a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape how clinicians approach care moving forward.

In the next episode, 'Closing Thoughts: Optimism, Responsibility, and the Path Forward for BCMA-Targeted Therapy in Multiple Myeloma,' panelists share their final reflections on the evolving landscape of BCMA-targeted therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, the responsibility that comes with expanding therapeutic options, and the importance of partnership, access, and continued collaboration between academic and community oncology settings.