Combining Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors With Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: An Overview for Managed Care Professionals
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
Faculty
Nelly Adel, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS
Chair of Pharmacy Practice
Associate Professor, Oncology
Touro College of Pharmacy
New York, New York
Rebecca Tombleson, PharmD, BCOP
Director of Pharmacy Operations
Oncology Analytics, Inc
Atlanta, Georgia
Medical Writing & Editorial Support
Jane deLaritgue, PhD
Medical Writer
Newberry, Florida
Andrew Abe, PharmD
Medical Writer
Honolulu, Hawaii
Program Description
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15% to 20% of all newly diagnosed breast cancers and is a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer that is associated with poorer prognosis than other subtypes. The heterogenicity of TNBC and lack of specific molecular targets makes it challenging to treat. While TNBC is responsive to cytotoxic chemotherapy, duration of response is short, and relapses are common. Compared with other types of breast cancers, the increased expression of PD-L1 in some TNBC makes it a good target for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. However, use of combination ICI plus chemotherapy in patients with TNBC that express PD-L1 has shown promising results. Use of ICI/chemotherapy combination regimens increases resources needed from the healthcare system and financial burden for patients. Examining current guideline recommendations and utilizing value frameworks to evaluate impact to stakeholders will be key for managed care pharmacists to fully comprehend how these emerging treatment regimens fit into current and evolving treatment paradigms. Pharmacists and managed care professionals need to work together to manage resource utilization to optimize patient outcomes and promote value-based care in oncology.
Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of Activity: Application
Release date: April 15, 2021
Expiration date: April 15, 2022
Time to complete activity: 2 hours
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Analyze emerging clinical data involving the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)/chemotherapy combination regimens for the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC).
- Determine how emerging ICI/chemotherapy combinations will fit into the future treatment paradigm for mTNBC.
- Examine the impact of ICI/chemotherapy treatment combinations on the overall cost of care for mTNBC.
- Identify strategies and interventions that improve cost of care and enhance the value of treatments in mTNBC.
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 2.0 contact hours (0.20 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity 0290-21-127-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 15, 2022.
Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, read the online article 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
Nelly Adel, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, and Rebecca Tombleson, PharmD, BCOP have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Medical Writing & Editorial Staff
Jane deLaritgue, PhD, and Andrew Abe, PharmD have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Kimberly Simpson, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
An anonymous peer reviewer is 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.
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