OncoPharm

A case study in misbranding promotional materials and how to help FDA regulate them.

Discover the fascinating world of capecitabine, a prodrug of 5-FU, and learn about its unique activation in the body. Explore its historical development and the advantages it offers over traditional therapies. Delve into its uses across various cancers, highlighting important pharmacokinetics and the role of food intake in treatment. The discussion also uncovers potential toxicities and the increased risks for patients with DPD deficiency, alongside how dietary folate can influence treatment success.

A foundational topic in oncology - managing toxicities of tamoxifen and AI's in breast cancer patients. An excellent evidence-based review was recently published, and is worth our time on the Pod. Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30666-5

So-called negative trials still offer information. We discuss ECOG-ACRIN EA1131 in breast cancer and TOURMALINE-MM1 in myeloma in this epidose. EA1131: https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1200/JCO.21.00976 TOURMALINE-MM1 (final OS analysis): https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1200/JCO.21.00972

Why is learning oncology so hard? To get the students perspective I ask a few pharmacy students why in hopes of learning how to better teach and precept oncology trainees.

Highlighting results presented at ASCO's 2021 annual meeting.

Two new drugs approved in the last week: 1. sotorasib, a drug for a specific KRAS mutation (G12C) in 2nd line metastatic NSCLC 2. infigratinib, basically a "me too" FGFR inhibitor approved for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma We all discuss the latest adjuvant CHECKMATE study (nivolumab in urothelial carcinoma) and a recent study of seropositivity in cancer patients following COVID vaccination.

Discussing a first of its kind drug, amivantamab, a bispecific (MET & EGFR) monoclonal antibody just approved for advanced exon20 insertion NSCLC (2nd line).

Dr. Kayleigh Marx, a clinical pharmacy specialist in leukemia at MD Anderson Cancer Center, shares her expertise on venetoclax, a pivotal drug in leukemia treatment. She discusses the drug's intriguing history and development, including its approval for chronic lymphocytic and acute myeloid leukemia. Dr. Marx delves into the pharmacological mechanisms behind venetoclax and its effectiveness, while addressing the significant toxicities and challenges in patient care. Insightful tips on individualized dosing and the role of pharmacists in optimizing treatment are also explored.

ASCO releases updated guidelines for the dosing of cancer drugs in patients with obesity. Not a ton new from the original guidelines, but worthy of discussion. Link: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.21.00471