HOPA Now

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

These educational podcasts are part of our BCOP Preparatory and Recertification Course, which is designed to prepare oncology pharmacists preparing to sit for the BCOP Certification Exam, as well as meet the BPS requirement to complete a BCOP Preparatory/Recertification Review Course.

In this episode of HOPA Now, Dr. Allison Duffy highlights the fundamentals of various chronic leukemias, including the background and pathophysiology of CLL, hairy cell leukemia, and CML.  She shares information about the current treatment landscape for this malignancy and highlights the key role that pharmacists can play in treatments as well as drug interaction and administration considerations, supportive care and management, and more.

In this episode, you will learn:

An overview of chronic leukemia fundamentals

• CLL remains the most prevalent adult leukemia in Western countries.
• CLL and FLL are different manifestations of the same disease which receive similar care.
• Deletion 17p is the single most important prognostic factor in CLL.
• Identifying characteristics and disorders associated with hairy cell leukemia
• CML highlights, including diagnosis, prevention and screening guidelines, and treatment
• The key role of pharmacists in drug interactions and supportive management

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

HOPA Now Live Webinars

Tweetables:

“CLL remains the most prevalent adult leukemia in Western countries.” — Allison Duffy

“CML is a unique malignancy in which a single genetic chain acts as the ultimate transformative event.” — Allison Duffy

“Collaboration among all pharmacists caring for patients with these malignancies is essential for effective transitions of care and ongoing management across settings.” — Allison Duffy

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

These educational podcasts are part of our BCOP Preparatory and Recertification Course, which is designed to prepare oncology pharmacists preparing to sit for the BCOP Certification Exam, as well as meet the BPS requirement to complete a BCOP Preparatory/Recertification Review Course.

In this episode of HOPA Now, Dr. Allison Duffy explores NCCN preferred first-line treatment options, explains medication dosage guidelines for various forms of leukemia and offers an overview of the potential side effects that may result from different management recommendations. She concludes with a look at potential future relapse rates based on patient adherence to medication guidelines.

In this episode you will learn:

Screening and prevention information

• NCCN preferred first-line treatment options
• Guidance for medication dosages
• CLL inhibitor side effects and management recommendations
• Understanding CLL evaluation of response
• A look at hairy cell leukemia and CML progressive disease
• CML toxicity and supportive care management

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines

Tweetables:

“Regardless of patient factors, there are three NCCN preferred first-line treatment options.” — Allison Duffy

“Greater than 85% adherence is tied to a higher probability of achieving complete cytogenetic remission at two years.” — Allison Duffy

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

These educational podcasts are part of our BCOP Preparatory and Recertification Course, which is designed to prepare oncology pharmacists preparing to sit for the BCOP Certification Exam, as well as meet the BPS requirement to complete a BCOP Preparatory/Recertification Review Course.

In this episode of HOPA Now, Dr. Jennifer Godden addresses the top ten clinical pearls of molecular pathways and pharmacogenomics with the goal of ensuring that oncology pharmacists have a strong understanding of the key concepts related to oncology precision medicine, including tumor genomic test processes and test results, and to make accurate resulting treatment recommendations. Topics covered include classifications of cancers and characteristics of genetic mutations, treatment implications and gene alteration implications, signal transduction pathways, and the impact of semantic and germline alterations on treatment selections.

In this episode you will learn:

Molecular Pathways and Pharmacogenomics

• Classification of cancers and characteristics of genetic mutations as the cause of cancer
• Prognostic and predictive tumor molecular profiling processes and standards
• Functional and clinical impacts of alterations
• Treatment implications and decisions based on various gene alteration implications and their functions
• The two major signal transduction pathways that facilitate signaling from the extracellular domain to the nucleus
• Homologous recombination deficiencies and mismatch repairs
• How semantic and germline alterations in cancer genes can impact treatment selection and medication response

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

Quotes:

“The application of molecular pathways and the treatment of oncology patients is expanding at a rapid pace.” — Dr. Jennifer Godden

“Cancer is a process that develops as a result of dysregulated pathways.” — Dr. Jennifer Godden

“It is important to recognize that a VUS should not routinely be used as part of treatment decision making.” — Dr. Jennifer Godden

“It is becoming increasingly important for oncology pharmacists to understand molecular pathways and pharmacogenomics.” — Dr. Jennifer Godden

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

These educational podcasts are part of our BCOP Preparatory and Recertification Course, which is designed to prepare oncology pharmacists preparing to sit for the BCOP Certification Exam, as well as meet the BPS requirement to complete a BCOP Preparatory/Recertification Review Course.

In this episode of HOPA Now, HOPA Fellow Dr. Robert Mancini shares information regarding cancer screening and prevention, including health and lifestyle factors, top genetic and familial risk factors, and effective pharmacological interventions. He concludes with an update on the ACS goal to increase cancer screening and prevention methods by the year 2035.

In this episode you will learn:

Screening and prevention information

• What do we know about cancer prevention and risk factors?
• Understanding accurate guidelines for cancer prevention
• Additional recommendations include smoking cessation and use of sunscreen
• Pharmacological interventions — what really works?
• Average vs. high-risk cancer screening options and controversy
• Genetic and familial syndromes
• An update on the ACS 2035 challenge

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

ACS 2035 Challenge

Quotes:

“Education is the key to moving cancer prevention forward.” — Robert Mancini

“Rates of liver, pancreas, and uterine cancers will all increase if nothing is done to improve detection.” — Robert Mancini

“If major risk factors decrease and screening rates among Americans increase, … there will be an additional 20.5% drop of overall cancer deaths by the year 2035.” — Robert Mancini

In this episode of HOPA Now, President David DeRemer hosts a panel discussion regarding the increased need for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel consists of three well-informed doctors that are representing both the East and West coasts.  Eve Segal, PharmD, BCOP is the Lead Clinical Oncology Pharmacist at the University of Washington Medical Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, WA.  Maurice Alexander, Pharm.D., BCOP, CPP is a Clinical Manager Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Services at UNC Chapel Hill, and John Valgus, Pharm.D. MHA, BCOP, CPP is the Assistant Director of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill.  They discuss the need that COVID-19 has created to rethink traditional patient care, address various implementation strategies for telehealth, and offer a look at the potential future of telehealth.

In this episode you will learn:

What did telehealth look like before COVID-19?

● Telemedicine has always been part of a traditional practice, but concerns about patient relationships and access to technology limited full adaptation of telehealth.

● Prior to COVID-19, UNC only conducted 25 telehealth visits per month.

● Telehealth visits were limited by a narrow set of eligibility requirements.

Implementation strategies for telehealth

● The adaptation of telehealth is now essential in order to deliver care as safely as possible.

● Telehealth care at UWA is currently limited to those who have been credentialed, and they are working to expand telehealth credentials to all oncologists.

● At UNC, AmWell has helped meet the increasing need to expand telehealth services.

● Telemedicine platforms have improved exponentially because physicians, pharmacists, and hospital administrators are now all on board.

Rethinking traditional patient care

● Telehealth tends to improve care as patients feel more comfortable asking questions in a personal environment.

● More dedicated patient education sessions allow for increased preparation for treatment.

● Telemedicine offers increased convenience for patients but also requires improved coordination of care and lab testing.

● Staffing models have remained largely unchanged through the transition to telehealth.

● COVID-19 has forced us to break down the barriers that have limited the use of telehealth in the past.

Platforms that support telehealth

● Health and human services technology rules have changed to allow doctors to use any platform including Skype for Business, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or Zoom.

● Zoom offers a HIPPA-based platform that includes a virtual waiting room.

● American Well offers a telehealth solution that can be embedded into your patients’ health records.

● Doximity allows doctors to connect with patients with minimal steps.

● Security and user-friendliness need to be the two biggest priorities for selecting successful platforms.

Looking to the future of healthcare

● The slow reopening of states will allow hospitals to offer elective outpatient procedures. 

● Pharmacies have the opportunity to embrace telemedicine and to offer best practices for their patients.

● The increased convenience and safety measures offered by telehealth benefit patients in a way that can and should be sustained beyond COVID-19.

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

AmWell

Zoom Healthcare Plan

Doximity

Quotes:

“In the past month, the culture around telemedicine has completely changed. It went from a nice option to something that is absolutely necessary.” — John Valgus

“Our leadership has recognized that we need to adapt in order to deliver care as safely as possible.” — Eve Segal

“Telemedicine gives us the opportunity to safely manage patients with an even higher level of quality than in the past.” — John Valgus

“Telehealth is an excellent, convenient service that should sustain itself beyond the time of COVID-19” — Maurice Alexander

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.  

In this episode of HOPA Now, At-Large Board Member Jeremy Whalen is joined by LeAnne Kennedy, At-Large Board Member and stem cell transplant pharmacist, to discuss the exciting possibilities of moving transplants into the outpatient space. She addresses the benefits, the challenges, and the safety concerns associated with this next chapter of cancer patient care.

In this episode you will learn:

Benefits of moving transplants to the outpatient space

● Decreased risk of infection by minimized exposure to the hospital environment

● Increased mobility enhances a patient’s physical strength.

● The quality of post-procedure rest is enhanced in an outpatient setting.

● Outpatient care is a financially viable solution for both patients and providers.

Overcoming challenges to successfully switch to outpatient care

● The challenges of outpatient transplant care include the need for the patient to have a dedicated caregiver and reliable transportation.

● Pharmacists, social workers, nurses, and advanced practice providers all need to be involved in initial outpatient care.

● LeAnne walks through the process of switching transplants to outpatient care, including options for ordering medications.

● Pharmacists can now act as an independent provider for outpatient care.

● A collaborative effort is essential from all affected parties, including advanced practice providers, to minimize feelings of competition.

Other types of potential outpatient transplant care

● A cellular therapy program will start this spring.

● Outpatient visits can now be followed up by an at-home call via telemedicine.

● Telemedicine can allow providers to monitor the patient via a face-to-face call from home and eliminate the need for an additional daily trip to the hospital.

● Allogeneic transplants are being explored, including the conditioning regimen and chemotherapy in the outpatient setting.

● Home setting transplants have already started taking place at Duke University.

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

Wake Forest Baptist Health

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

In this episode of HOPA Now, At-Large Board Member Jeremy Whalen is joined by Larry Buie, At-Large Board Member, to discuss recent advances in AML. The paradigm in AML treatment has shifted dramatically in recent years, and impressive advances have been made regarding accurate categorization and more effective drug use. Larry highlights these advancements, offers suggestions for ways that pharmacists can play a more integral role in patient treatment, and offers a look at the promising future of AML treatment.

In this episode you will learn:

An overview of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML

● AML is an expansion of myeloblasts that can occur in peripheral blood and bone marrow.

● AML is the leading cause of leukemia in adults with over 21,000 diagnoses in 2019 and a 50% mortality rate.

● Bone marrow biopsies provide information for varying risk categorization and subsequent treatments.

● There is pressure to determine risk categorization quickly because of the rapid advance rate of this disease.

● Initial therapies may include induction and consolidated transplant depending on patient response and eligibility.

Special considerations for elderly AML patients

● Experts are constantly working to make modifications to standard chemotherapy treatments without increasing toxicity.

● Age, physical fitness, frailty, comorbidity, and performance status all factor into determining appropriate levels of chemotherapy.

● Alternative treatment options include targeted therapies or a lower intensity targeted agent combined with hypomethylating agents.

● Guidelines are taken from the NCCN and the European LeukemiaNet Group.

● Details on particular toxicities that may be associated with targeted therapies and their success rates.

Ways pharmacists can increase involvement in AML care

● Increase patient monitoring and assisting in therapy selection.

● Offer inpatient and outpatient counseling regarding medication recommendations.

● Participate in pharmacist-led research and collaboration regarding drug studies.

A look at the future of AML

● More options are being presented with new drugs than ever before.

● Increased efficiency in identifying genetic abnormalities will allow for more targeted treatment.

● Chemo-free AML therapy may be a possibility in the future.

● Thorough screening will continue to be a critical component for ensuring appropriate drug use and safeguarding against toxicity.

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA 

NCCN Guidelines

European LukemiaNet Group

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association (HOPA). HOPA is an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

In this inaugural episode of HOPA Now, At-Large Board Member Jeremy Whalen interviews Larry Buie, At-Large Board Member, and Ryan Bookout, Immediate Past President. They will be discussing the 16th annual HOPA Ahead 2020 Conference highlights and the value of attending. Scheduled for March 11–14th in Tampa, Florida, HOPA Ahead is the must-attend event for pharmacists, pharmacy researchers, administrators, technicians, residents, and interns specializing in hematology-oncology.

In this episode you will learn:

How attendees can best prepare for the conference

● Download the HOPA conference app — the link will be emailed out two weeks prior to the conference.

● Build a schedule on the app to view poster abstracts, electronic posters and to prioritize key sessions.

● Conference highlights include two pre-conference sessions focusing on geriatrics and leadership and keynote speaker Leigh Boehmer.

After-hour recommendations for the Tampa Bay area

● The conference hotel is centrally located in downtown Tampa with access to Harbor Island, the Channelside District, and Hyde Park.

● For outdoor dining and bowling, visit Sparksman’s Wharf.

● For some great drink options, consider Meridien Hotel, Hotel Bar, and GenX Tavern.

● For award-winning dining and shopping, visit Armature Works, Hyde Park Village, Bern’s Steakhouse, Tampa Heights, and International Plaza Mall.

● For live entertainment, visit Straz Center or Ybor City.

● Several running trails are accessible from the conference hotel.

Additional conference offerings

● Attendees can receive up to an additional 20.25 ACPE credits by attending conference sessions.

● Book club discussions will center around The Making of a Manager.

● Networking and professional development opportunities will be readily available at the conference, including HOPA Gives Back volunteer event, leadership roundtables, and the student, resident, fellow, and new practitioner networking event.

● Nine different oncology events will take place over two days.

● “HOPA Cabana” is the Friday night reception that you won’t want to miss.

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA’s 16th Annual Conference

Leigh Boehmer

Sparkman Wharf

Le Méridien Hotel

Hotel Bar

GenX Tavern

Armature Works

Hyde Park Village

Bern’s Steakhouse

The Making of a Manager: What To Do When Everyone Looks To You, by Julie Zhuo

International Plaza Mall

Straz Center

Ybor City