Pharmacy Times

Glofit-GemOx in R/R DLBCL: FDA Advisory Committee Reviews STARGLO Phase 3 Results for Transplant-Ineligible Patients Glofitamab combined with GemOx shows promising survival benefits for patients with relapsed DLBCL, offering a new treatment option for those ineligible for transplants.

FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee reviewed the sBLA for glofitamab + GemOx today. STARGLO trial showed a 41% OS benefit in transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL, with implications for care delivery for pharmacists. FDA sBLA decision expected July 2025.

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#OncologyPharmacy #DLBCL

NCCN Flash Update: Changes to NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer Version 4.2025 Updates on April 30, 2025, introduce changes to treatment regimens, sequencing flexibility, febrile neutropenia risk assessments, and drug-specific safety and supportive care guidance.

NCCN has released updates to breast cancer guidelines Version 4.2025 as of April 30, 2025. Changes include revised indications (olaparib, capecitabine) and new sequencing flexibility (taxane before anthracycline), as well as other updates.

#breastcancer #NCCN

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NCCN Flash Update: Changes to Colon Cancer Guidelines, Version 3.2025 NCCN updates colon cancer guidelines, emphasizing testing for DPYD gene variants before initiating fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy.

NCCN’s 2025 Colon Cancer Guidelines now support DPYD genotyping before fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy.

Pharmacists are key to enacting this guideline through leading testing efforts and educating patients on their options.

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#Pharmacogenetics #DPYD #NCCN #PrecisionMedicine

Call for submissions: Practice and Paradox

Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology is looking for submissions to our Practice and Paradox column—where we explore the tension between the calling of health care and the system-level and financial realities of the field.

#OncologyPharmacy

NCCN Flash Update: Guideline Update for Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers in Version 3.2025 The Version 3.2025 update adds tislelizumab-based regimens as preferred first-line treatments and introduces new dosing schedules for PD-L1–positive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

NCCN has updated Version 3.2025 of their EEJC guidelines for squamous cell carcinoma.

Tislelizumab-based combos (with oxaliplatin or cisplatin + paclitaxel) are now preferred first-line options for PD-L1 CPS ≥1. New dosing schedules as well.

#Oncology #NCCN #SCC

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New Research Sheds Light on Link Between Leukocyte Count and Long COVID Symptom Severity In older postmenopausal women, leukocyte count was found to be an independent predictor of long COVID symptom severity, highlighting its potential for use as a novel symptom biomarker.

In older postmenopausal women, leukocyte count was found to be an independent predictor of long #COVID symptom severity, highlighting its potential for use as a novel symptom biomarker.

Learn more: bit.ly/43x8SED

Tenecteplase Receives FDA Approval, Marking First New Stroke Medication in Nearly 30 Years In a clinical trial, tenecteplase was shown to be a comparable alternative to alteplase.

#BREAKING: The #FDA has approved tenecteplase (TNKase; Genentech), a thrombolytic or clot-dissolving agent, for the treatment of adult patients with acute ischemic stroke — marking tenecteplase as the first #stroke medicine to be approved by the FDA in nearly 30 years.

Learn more: bit.ly/4bxdEUH

FDA OKs Label Changes for Buprenorphine Injections, Reducing Time to Treatment in Opioid Use Disorder The label changes to buprenorphine extended-release injections can increase convenience and adherence for patients with moderate to severe opioid use disorder.

The #FDA has approved label changes for buprenorphine extended-release injection, including alternative injection sites and a rapid initiation protocol, which stand as a major achievement in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe #opioid use disorder.

Learn more: bit.ly/4kgPT7q

Molecular COVID/Flu Multiplex Test is Granted FDA Emergency Use Authorization The test results are available in as little as 20 minutes.

A next-generation molecular #COVID/#Flu multiplex test (Metrix; Aptitude Medical Systems, Inc) received emergency use authorization from the #FDA for detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A virus, and Influenza B virus in 20 minutes.

Learn more: bit.ly/4i9sR0j

Expert: Approval of Semaglutide Major Advancement for CKD, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes Semaglutide has been approved for reducing kidney disease progression and cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes, marking a significant advancement in CKD management.

AKF Chief Medical Officer @pranavgarimella.bsky.social sat down with @pharmacytimes.bsky.social to discuss the recent FDA approval of semaglutide to reduce kidney disease & cardiovascular death risks in adults with type 2 diabetes & chronic kidney disease. Watch the interview: bit.ly/41sSynb

CDC Study Raises Concerns Over Undetected H5N1 Infections in Humans Research suggests H5N1 may be spreading undetected among humans, particularly in veterinarians with frequent animal exposure.

There have been 68 confirmed human cases of #H5N1 reported by the CDC as of February 14, 2025; however, a recent study published by the agency suggests that this number is an undercount because of asymptomatic illness.

Learn more: bit.ly/4gO3ss7

Because Ned Said: Drug Shortage or Not, That Is the Question All stakeholders should work together to determine and address drug shortages.

#Drugshortages are multifaceted, involving manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and health care providers, in a collaborative effort to identify and mitigate issues. All stakeholders should work together to determine and address drug shortages.

Learn more: bit.ly/4k6fbEW

Chikungunya Vaccine Receives FDA Approval for Individuals Ages 12 and Older The approval makes the vaccine the first of its kind for this indication in the United States.

#BREAKING: Chikungunya vaccine (VimKunya; Bavarian Nordic A/S) was granted #FDA approval for patients aged 12 and older to prevent against #chikungunya virus (CHIKV) during travel.

Learn more: bit.ly/3X3k0VG

Amazon's RxPass Shown to Improve Days' Supply, Refills, and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Common Medications Amazon Pharmacy’s subscription service could cause sale disruptions for traditional retail pharmacies.

RxPass, #Amazon Pharmacy’s subscription service for common medications, has demonstrated significant improvements in medication adherence and out-of-pocket cost reductions — making it difficult for retail pharmacies to compete with Amazon Pharmacy’s business model.

Learn more: bit.ly/3EyHlIx

Mindfulness Program Reduces Opioid Cravings During Buprenorphine Treatment There were no substantial differences for the mindfulness with substance use or anxiety outcomes compared with the recovery control group.

Mindfulness training groups could be recommended for those who have residual #opioid cravings and are receiving maintenance therapy with buprenorphine.

Learn more: bit.ly/4jRsN7g

Caring for the Caregiver: Prioritizing Well-Being as a Pharmacist The demands of the pharmacy profession—long hours, high stress, and emotional strain—can take a toll on pharmacists’ well-being.

The demands of the #pharmacy profession—long hours, high stress, and emotional strain—can take a toll on pharmacists’ well-being. To sustain their ability to care for others, pharmacists must also care for themselves.

Read more: bit.ly/3WOi2sl

Ranibizumab Injection Delivered Through Port Delivery Platform Is FDA Approved as Continuous Delivery Treatment for DME Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the leading cause of new blindness in the US.

Major #FDA news: Ranibizumab injection (Susvimo; Roche) 100 mg/mL administered through a port delivery platform (PDP) became the first and only FDA-approved continuous treatment to maintain vision in patients with #diabetic macular edema.

Learn more: bit.ly/4gsyaqf

World Cancer Day: A Call to Action World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4th, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting equitable access to cancer care, with pharmacy professionals play...

February 4th is World Cancer Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting equitable access to #cancer care, with pharmacy professionals playing a vital role in prevention, treatment, and support for patients and communities.

Learn more: bit.ly/411O1Yw

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