Grashma Vadakkel, PharmD, BCOP is a Transplant & Cellular Therapy clinical pharmacist at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
LeAnne Kennedy, PharmD, BCOP, CPP, FHOPA, FASTCT is a clinical oncology pharmacy director at Atrium Health Southeast in North Carolina.
Sanja Zepcan, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacy specialist of Hematology/Oncology Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy at Loyola University Medical Center.
In this episode of Pharmacy Focus: Oncology Edition, oncology pharmacy experts Grashma Vadakkel, PharmD, BCOP; LeAnne Kennedy, PharmD, BCOP, CPP, FHOPA, FASTCT; and Sanja Zepcan, PharmD, BCPS, discuss the management of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and emerging therapies, including axatilimab (Niktimvo, Incyte Corporation). The speakers explore the mechanism of action, clinical applications, and safety considerations of axatilimab, highlighting how it fits into current treatment strategies for patients with cGVHD.
The discussion emphasizes practical approaches for patient monitoring, adverse event management, and the coordination of care within multidisciplinary transplant and cellular therapy teams. The pharmacists also highlight the evolving role of oncology pharmacy in optimizing outcomes for patients with cGVHD, addressing logistical challenges, and supporting the integration of novel therapies into clinical practice. The episode underscores both the promise of new treatment options and the critical impact of pharmacists in guiding safe, effective therapy delivery.
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