TOP - November 2016, Vol 9, No 4

• Inotuzumab Ozogamicin Shows Benefit in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• Adding Daratumumab to Combination Therapy Improves Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Chicago, IL—The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation is a target for tyrosine kinase therapies in several cancers, including non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since 2011, several ALK inhibitors have been approved, and more are in the pipeline, but many questions remain for managing patients with ALK-positive NSCLC.

Chicago, IL—Maintaining a clean room compliant with US Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 800 (USP 800) can come with a significant price tag, but noncompliance can drive up costs to oncology practices and institutions. However, certain measures can contribute to the successful construction, renovation, and maintenance of hazardous drug sterile compounding spaces in an oncology setting, according to Ryan A. Forrey, PharmD, MS, FASHP, Director of Pharmacy, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, GA.

Chicago, IL—A clear set of standard operating procedures is at the heart of US Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 800 (USP 800) compliance, according to Carol Yarrington, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology and Infusion Pharmacy Coordinator and Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.

New data from an interim analysis of the head-to-head, open-label, phase 3, Japanese study J-ALEX, show that alectinib (Alecensa) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with crizotinib (Xalkori) in the frontline setting, according to Hiroshi Nokihara, MD, PhD, of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Hollywood, FL—Results from a survey of oncology pharmacists from across the country indicate that the verification process for chemotherapy orders is not uniformly electronic. In fact, >25% of responders are still using paper orders, said Carly Duncan, PharmD candidate, of the Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston. She presented findings from her and her colleagues’ survey at the 2016 annual conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

In the October issue of The Oncology Pharmacist, we feature highlights from the recent Hematology/Oncol­ogy Pharmacy Association (HOPA)’s Oncology Pharmacy Practice Man­agement Program, including an article on the challenges of managing patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated with ALK mutations. At HOPA, Jim M. Koeller, MS, Professor, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, discussed the current treatment guidelines for this patient population, emphasizing the need for pharmacist inclusion during testing for ALK mutations.

• Tecentriq First PD-L1 Approved by the FDA for Metastatic NSCLC
• Keytruda Receives New Indication for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic NSCLC
• Lartruvo Approved for Soft-Tissue Sarcoma

Hollywood, FL—In a study presented at the 2016 annual conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a real-world assessment of lenalidomide use in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) showed that dose modifications had a strong positive effect on outcomes.

Adelaide, Australia—Stomatitis is a dose-limiting toxicity associated with the use of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, but new treatments can improve quality of life for patients suffering from this often debilitating condition, according to data presented at the 2016 Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology Annual Meeting on Supportive Care in Cancer.