Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prevention and Treatment: Defining the Role of the Health-System Pharmacist

Program Description
Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) that may affect any organ system. Patients undergoing HSCT have historically received aGVHD prophylaxis with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate, and corticosteroids were the backbone of treatment. Novel therapies are under investigation for both the prevention and treatment of aGVHD, and pharmacists can play a key role in therapy selection as well as managing complications associated with aGVHD. Additionally, pharmacists can also assist with education of patients and caregivers in the pre- and post-HSCT setting. This activity will focus on how biomarkers are used in aGVHD assessment, a review of the clinical data for aGVHD therapies, and will define how pharmacists fit into the care plan for patients undergoing HSCT.

Target audience: Health-system and specialty pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: December 20, 2021
Expiration date: June 20, 2022

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify the impact of biomarkers in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) outcomes
• Demonstrate understanding of prophylactic treatments for aGVHD prevention
• Analyze clinical data of therapies used in the treatment of aGVHD
• Examine the role of the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) clinical pharmacist when caring for patients pre- and post-HSCT

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-454-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 20, 2022.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the webcast in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Faculty

Nicole Watts, PharmD, BCOP, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant: Bristol Myers Squibb

Stock/Shareholder: Gilead (spouse)

Zahra Mahmoudjafari, PharmD, BCOP, DPLA, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant (advisory boards): Omeros, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Medexus, Incyte, GSK, AstraZeneca

Speakers Bureau: Omeros

Andrew Lin, PharmD, BCOP, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Amy H. Seung, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA; Meg Taylor PharmD, CPP; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Medical reviewer Benjamin Andrick, PharmD, BCOP, has the following financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:
Grant/Research Support: Hematology/Oncology Pharmacist Association Grant to study VTE in patients with cancer

An anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
[email protected]
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