Navigating the Complexities of Oncologic Immunotherapy and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Combination Regimens

This activity includes patient counseling videos.

Program Description
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) prevent immune system suppression and have shown to be effective in enhancing the normal immune response to destroy cancerous cells. Several ICIs have been approved for a growing number of cancer types. However, many patients experience nonresponse to ICIs, which has contributed to the recent growth of combination strategies being investigated. Specifically, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in combination with ICIs have demonstrated benefits and clinical efficacy across various solid tumors. Oncology pharmacists must know about new indications for these combination regimens, be aware of operational challenges affecting treatment administration, and be mindful of the unique adverse effect profiles that may influence clinical decision-making and patient management. This program will review the efficacy and safety of ICI/VEGFR TKI combination regimens across solid tumors, with a focus on adverse effects prominent in ICI/VEGFR TKI combination therapies compared with monotherapy. Pharmacist and patient counseling videos incorporated throughout this activity will explore communication strategies pharmacists on the cancer care team can use when counseling patients. Best practices to overcome operational challenges associated with ICI/VEGFR TKI combination regimens will be discussed.

Target audience: Oncology pharmacists

Type of activity: Application

Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Release date: September 18, 2023
Expiration date: September 18, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Analyze the clinical benefits of combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and oral vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of various solid tumors
• Apply evidence-based strategies to adverse effect management in ICI/oral VEGFR TKI combination regimens
• Examine barriers to the optimal integration of ICI/VEGFR TKI combination regimens in clinical practice
• Identify pharmacist-driven strategies to overcome patient-specific, disease-specific, and operational challenges associated with intravenous and oral combination regimens

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 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-23-362-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through September 18, 2024.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, read the 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

Jessica M. Davis, PharmD, BCOP, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Advisory boards: Sanofi-Genzyme/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb

Speakers bureau: Exelixis, Inc

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Faculty

Katie P. Morgan, PharmD, BCOP, CPP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Amy H. Seung, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA, CHCP; Evelina Kolychev, PharmD, BCOP; Abigail Dill; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green.

Anonymous peer reviewers were used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have 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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[email protected]
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