Program Description
Age is a leading risk factor for breast cancer, and longer life expectancy has led to rising diagnoses, especially for hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancers. There are complexities that oncology pharmacists must consider when treating HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in older patients. This population is frequently underrepresented in clinical trials, which leads to challenges in applying trial data to real-world care. This can result in misjudgments of drug efficacy and toxicity, treatment delays, and undertreatment, all of which may impact patient outcomes. The effectiveness of current targeted therapies, including CDK4/6 inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors, as well as investigational treatments in older patients, will be reviewed. This program will explore how to tailor treatment strategies for older patients with HR+/HER2– mBC by navigating clinical guidelines to consider patient-specific factors, such as comorbidities and frailty. Faculty experts will delve into the practical application of geriatric assessment tools to optimize treatment decisions, reduce overtreatment and undertreatment, and improve quality of life. Participants will gain practical strategies for managing treatment in older patients. This program will focus on dose modifications, toxicity management, and the importance of frequent monitoring and early intervention.
Target audience: Health-System Pharmacist, Oncology Pharmacist
Type of activity: Application
Release date: May 28, 2025
Expiration date: May 28, 2026
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Analyze how under-representation of older patients in clinical trials impacts treatment decisions for HR+/HER2- mBC.
- Interpret clinical guidelines for HR+/HER2- mBC treatment in older patients, considering comorbidities and frailty.
- Apply geriatric clinical assessment tools to identify frailty in older patients with HR+/HER2- mBC.
Allison Schepers, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Ambulatory Oncology
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Andrew Whitman, PharmD, BCOP
Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Hematology/Oncology
Residency Program Director, PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy
University of Virginia Health
Department of Pharmacy Services
Charlottesville, Virginia
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 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-25-163-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 28th, 2026.
Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity 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
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
Faculty
Allison Schepers, PharmD, BCOP
Andrew Whitman, PharmD, BCOP
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Amy L. Morris, PharmD, BCOP; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
At least one 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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