At HOPA, one of our goals is to help keep hematology/oncology pharmacists up to date on key developments in cancer treatment. Our hope is that with access to new and pivotal information, you are able to optimize care and see patients through to the best possible outcomes.

Each quarter, you can also read HOPA News online.

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Drained Resources: Navigating the Nationwide IV Fluid Shortage and Its Toll on Oncology Care

In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the southeast region of the U.S., forcing a Baxter Facility in North Carolina to close. Baxter’s plant, located in Marion, North Carolina, produces approximately 60% of the country’s intravenous (IV) fluid and dialysate solutions. This catastrophic event exacerbated an already existing nationwide shortage of IV fluids, significantly impacting healthcare delivery, particularly in oncology care. Read more.

Adjuvant Alectinib in Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

In April 2024, the FDA approved alectinib (Alecensa®) in patients with early-stage ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). HOPA member Pauline Kim, PharmD, BCOP, writes about the ALINA trial, a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial that enrolled patients with completely resected stage IB (tumors > 4cm), II or IIIA NSCLC with ALK fusion who did not receive previous systemic anticancer therapy. Read more.

CAR-T Approval Updates: Moving up the Rung in Multiple Myeloma and Breaking Ground in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy indications continue to expand with recent updates to CAR-T products for treatment of Multiple Myeloma (MM), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia / Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL), Follicular Lymphoma (FL), and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). HOPA members Michael Hardler, PharmD, BCOP; Tyler Sandahl, PharmD, BCOP; and Rachel Bailen, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, write about CAR-T Product Indications as of May 2024. Read more.

T-cell Malignancies with CAR T-cell therapy

In January 2024, the FDA issued Safety Labeling Change notification letters for the manufacturers of all six CAR T-cell immunotherapy agents after it investigated reports of T-cell lymphomas from clinical trials. Carl F. Aoun, PharmD, BCPS, writes about the impact on current practice. Read more.

Taking COMMAND(S) of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Related Anemia Management

The COMMANDS study was a phase 3, open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial for adult patients with very low risk, low risk or intermediate risk MDS, ESA-naïve, and requiring red blood cell transfusions. Sarah Medeiros, PharmD, BCOP writes about this 356-patient study, which took place between January 2019 and August 2022. Read more.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Updates & Review of NordICC

The Nordic-European Initiative on Colorectal Cancer (NordICC) trial is the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate efficacy of CRC screening on risk of CRC development and related death. HOPA member Sarah Hanson, PharmD, BCOP, wrote about this recently. Read more.

RUBY5 and NRG GY018/Keynote-8686 Highlight Changes in 1L Treatment for Endometrial Cancer

Molecular classification within endometrial cancer has continued to evolve with biomarker-driven therapy. HOPA member Amy Ly Indorf, PharmD, wrote about how two trials could change the landscape for first-line treatment for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Read more.