Our Landmarks of OncoPharm series returns to discuss the CLEOPATRA study, which established docetaxel, trastuzumab, pertuzumab (THP) as a standard first-line regimen for metastatic HER2-amplified breast cancer.By John Bossaer

If you've been struggling with how to talk to patients about ivermectin for cancer, then this podcast is for you.1. Cancer misinformation on social media (Loeb, et al): https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.218572. Clinician communication with patients about cancer misinformation (Bylund, et al): https://doi.org/10.1200/OP.22.00526…

Discussing recent FDA approvals of penpulimab, avutometenib, defactinib, and telisotuzumab vedotin.By John Bossaer

A splashy large study and two small studies suggest IV Mg in pre-hydration fluids can decrease the risk of cisplatin kidney injury.Gupta et al. JAMA Oncol (2025): doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.0756PRAGMATIC. ESMO Open (2022): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100351Yamamoto et al. Anticancer Res (2015): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25862878/…

This episode summarizes recent updates on:Tumor infiltrating clonal hematopoiesis (TI-CH) and its apparent negative impact on solid tumors (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2413361)Updated dostarlimab data on MMRd use in rectal cancer and other solid tumors in the neoadjuvant (definitive?!?!) setting (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.105…

BRCA revision mutations may explain some of the limited benefit seen in long-term follow-up studies with PARP inhibitors.Bibliography:1: BRCA reversion mutations predict resistance. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-18-07152: SOLO3 Final OS Data. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.009333: Elucidating acquired PARP inhibitor resistance in advanced pr…

Recapping HOPA 25 and Portland*Great food (not discussed, the most excellent ETSU dinner at Arden)*COCOON*Pharmacists make everyone's job easier and keep patients out of the ED*A few more tidbits too!By John Bossaer

FDA expands approvals for durvalumab (bladder cancer) and Lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan (pre-taxane in metastatic prostate cancer). Portland has places.By John Bossaer

We discuss reduced dose apixaban for months 6+ of treating cancer-associated VTE (API-CAT) and the impact (or lack thereof) of pausing BTK-inhibitors around vaccination (IMPROVE)By John Bossaer

A Foundations of OncoPharm episode on Topotecan. (Originally to be released week of 3/27)By John Bossaer

The updated Keynote 811 OS results convert an accelerated approval for pembrolizumab to a regular approval, albeit restricted by PD-L1 CPS status of 1 or higher.By John Bossaer

There is a decent track record with mixed results for cryotherapy to prevent taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. The POLAR trial adds to this body of evidence that trends in favor of cryotherapy. Compression therapy is another alternative. Both are studied in POLAR.POLAR: doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.0001…

Ten of the top herb-chemotherapy interactions.About Herbs website: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs/searchAlso, search 'About Herbs' in your app store.By John Bossaer

Two recent publications suggest modifications to standard subcutaneous daratumumab pre-meds is safe...and saves time!Padmaraju et al experience from Chicago Med Center: https://doi.org/10.1093/oncolo/oyae158Vazirnia et al experience from Mayo Clinic: https://doi.org/10.1200/OP.23.00470We end summarizing some emerging evidence about the need, or lac…

We take a deep look at the recently published, and guideline changing, AMPLIFY trial of fixed-duration acalabrutinib in CLL.Link: DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2409804By John Bossaer

Morbidity & Mortality (M & M) are common case conferences to learn from unfortunate cases to improve care in the future. This episode looks at two recently published case reports.1. Fatal tumor lysis syndrome following a lack of venetoclax ramp-up in AML: https://www.jhoponline.com/issue-archive/2024-issues/december-2024-vol-14-no-6/rapid-onset-of-…

Dipping into the archives (technology issues with new computer) to re-release the Foundations of OncoPharm episode on rituximab. Where did that 375 mg/m2 dose come from anyway?By John Bossaer

FDA approves two new treatment regimens:1. Acalabrutinib + BR for untreated mantle cell lymphoma patients deemed ineligible for autologous HSCT2. Sotorasib + panitumumab for KRAS-G12C mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (after chemotherapy, including oxaliplatin and irinotecan)By John Bossaer

Datopotamab deruxtecan, a newly approved agent for breast cancer, is discussed.By John Bossaer

HOPA Pharmacy Outcomes & Practice-Based Collaboration Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXNVRBRDexamethasone Dosing Intensity in Multiple Myeloma: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024025939Talquetamab + Teclistamab: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024025939postMONARCH: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-24-02086…

We discuss recent approvals of ensartinib and nivolumab-hyaluronidase as well as new front-line option for BRAV-V600E mutated metastatic colorectal cancer.By John Bossaer

Weighing the Pros & Cons of the accelerated approval pathway as it relates to oncology. An updated draft guidance document from FDA regarding this pathway and some compelling data regarding the public's perceived value of newly approved drugs for cancer.Article: Preferences for speed of access versus certainty of the survival benefit of new cancer …

Looking back at new approvals from 2024 - what to keep, re-gift, or return?And yes, as soon as this was recorded 2 new drugs were approved.By John Bossaer

Lots of recent clinical trial updates to discuss:AQUILA: Daratumumab for high-risk smoldering multiple myelomaCheckmate 8HW: Nivo/Ipi for MSI-high/MMRd metastatic colorectal cancerDESTINY-Breast06: T-DXd in HER2-low MBC after hormonal treatment, but without previous chemo for MBCARMANI: Switch maintenance ramucirumab-paclitaxel in metastatic gastri…

A first-in-class approval of a bispecific HER2-HER3 monoclonal antibody for NRG1 fusion (+) NSCLC and pancreatic cancer.By John Bossaer

The 1st menin inhibitor, revumenib, is approved for relapsed/refractory acute leukemias.Understanding the Pathway: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-24-01265By John Bossaer

A nice editorial succinctly summarizes a framework for thinking about how to incorporate anthracyclines into the treatment of early stage breast cancer patients. Anthracyclines in Early Breast Cancer: The Long Goodbye -https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-24-0191610-year Outcomes of READ trial: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.00836Bonus - Practical Guide for…

Reviewing the data to support use of dexamethasone solution mouthwash for PIK3/AKT/mTOR inhibitor-induced stomatitis, caused by drugs like everolimus, alpelisib, capivasertib, & inavolisib.SWISH: https://doi.org/10.1016/s1470-2045(17)30109-2Alliance MIST Trial: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.001…

The first Cldn 18.2 targeting monoclonal antibody has been improved. Let's talk about it!By John Bossaer

Discussing two excellent articles from earlier this month.S1826: N-AVD vs. Bv-AVD (DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405888)& INTERLACE: induction chemo prior to concurrent cisplatin/RT in locally advanced cervical cancer (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01438-7)By John Bossaer

A new PIK3Ca inhibitor is approved for breast cancer.By John Bossaer

Reviewing 3 recent AML publicationsDouble-Dauno (90 mg/m2 vs. 60 mg/m2): https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.00235AML60+ Risk Stratification: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.02631Decitabine-Ven as bridge to Allo HSCT: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(24)00241-2By John Bossaer

MSI-high/MMRd rectal cancer treatment guidelines are being re-written. A brief synopsis of why treatment guidelines are changing so quickly in this space.Also, listeners helped out in explaining the ribociclib storage & stability change. Hint: https://www.novartis.com/news/novartis-implements-manufacturing-adjustments-ribociclib-ensure-alignment-la…

FDA has been busy the last week approving:-ribociclib x 3 years in high risk stage II & III breast cancer based on the NATALEE trial as well as a new storage requirement-osimertinib indefinitely following chemoradiation in stage III EGFR-mutated NSCLC-amivantamab + chemotherapy following progression on osimertinib (Mariposa-2)-a subcutaneous formul…

Recapping just some of the notable data coming out of ESMO 2024:-Final OS results from Keynote-522 (perioperative pembrolizumab in TNBC)-AMBASSADOR (adjuvant pembrolizumab in bladder cancer) -NIAGRA (perioperative durvalumab in bladder cancer)-ADRIATIC (discussed on ASCO recap Pod, but publication now available)-LEANOX (impact of lean body mass adj…

LMS04 final OS results are published for doxorubicin + trabectedin in Leiomyosarcoma. Plus, a natural experiment of what happens in small cell lung cancer during an IV etoposide shortage. Finally, a nice paper provides some examples of how oncology pharmacists can bridge the care gap between oncology and primary care.LMS04: https://www.nejm.org/doi…

This is chapter 1 of a keynote address from summer 2024 on putting together the pieces of oncology pharmacy - with an emphasis on how our knowledge of drug dosing changes with time.Video/slides available at YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Oae8AV5Af4By John Bossaer

We all know we aren't supposed to make cross-trial comparisons, but it happens anyway. So, let's compare FLARUA2 (osimertinb + chemo) and the newly FDA-approved MARIPOSA regimen (lazertinib + amivantamab) to see what we can (and can't) take away from such a dangerous cross-trial comparison.By John Bossaer

A mixed bag of Phase III results for using olanzapine with moderately emegotenic chemotherapy (MEC).Inui, et al: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.00278Ostwal, et al: doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.26076By John Bossaer

A new cellular therapy is approved for synovial sarcoma and the anticipated approval has occurred for the dual IDH1/IDH2 inhibitor, vorasidenib.By John Bossaer

FDA appears to change its stance on evaluating perioperative (adjuvant followed by neoadjuvant) ICI study designs in NSCLC.Also, a simple blood test is approved to detect colorectal cancer, but there are several limitations compared to colonoscopy.By John Bossaer

Did you know high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cel rescue was a "standard" breast cancer treatment ~30 years ago? This story involves changing practices based on Phase II data and outright clinical trial fraud, and retractions of publications.On-site review of Bezwoda study: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)90024-2Oral History: https…

Reflections from vacation on 1) How similar the chef training experience on The Bear mirrors some pharmacy residency training and 2) being a resource to family/friends with oncology questions.By John Bossaer

Running through recent updates on epcoritamab, adagrasib + cetuximab for colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, adjuvant dabrafenib/trametinib melanoma follow-up data, and topical capsaicin for delayed CINV.Also, a brief travelogue on my inaugural trip to ATOPP (advanced topics for oncology pharmacy professionals) Summit.…

The MARIPOSA study suggests there may be a new preferred first line regimen (amivantamab + lazertinib) for metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC, as this regimen improved PFS compared to osimertinib.By John Bossaer

An experimental regimen for DLBCL piques my interest.VenetoclaxibrutinibPrednisoneObinutuzumabRevlimid (lenalidomide)Link: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa2401532By John Bossaer

A new drug is approved for MDS. While some will likely benefit from this new agent, the more enticing news is that inhibiting telomerase may be an attractive target for many malignancies.By John Bossaer

Lots and lots of updates from the past weekend's ASCO annual meeting.1. ADRIATIC (consolidation durvalumab in limited stage SCLC)2. NADINA (neoadjuvant Nivo/Ipi in stage III melanoma)3. *NICHE-2 (neoadjuvant Nivo/Ipi in dMMR colon cancer)4. CheckMate 8HW (Nivo/Ipi in dMMR metastatic colon cancer)5. TRANSMET (liver transplantation in colon cancer wi…

ASCO & ONS (along with pharmacist representation) released updated safety standards for preparing, administering, and monitoring chemotherapy. Look for a calendar invitation to review your site's policies soon.Link: https://doi.org/10.1200/OP.24.00216By John Bossaer

A new drug for small-cell lung cancer, a bispecific, targeting DLL3 on small-cell lung cancer and CD3 on T-cells is FDA approved. But, infigratinib's FDA approval for cholangiocarcinoma is withdrawn.By John Bossaer