Alana Hippensteele, Lead Editor

Melody Smith, MD, MS, discusses how microbiome modulation may influence CAR T-cell therapy toxicity and outcomes, highlighting potential future interventions and clinical integration challenges.

The AACR Immunotherapy Conference 2025 will provide pharmacists with the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy research, explore advancements in treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy, and connect with key leaders in the field.

Melody Smith, MD, MS, discusses how the intestinal microbiome influences CAR T-cell therapy outcomes, highlighting the negative impact of certain antibiotics and the potential role of dietary interventions in improving treatment efficacy.

C. Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP, discusses the evolving diagnostic criteria and management strategies for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in CAR T-cell therapy, highlighting advances in toxicity prevention and treatment selection.

The expanding role of real-world evidence in regulatory and health technology assessment (HTA) decision-making highlights its growing acceptance for supplementing clinical trial data, addressing evidence gaps, and informing treatment value, despite challenges in data quality, accessibility, and regulatory compliance.

Diversity in clinical trials remains important to ensure research data for therapies accurately reflects the diverse patient populations who will use them globally.

Africa's unparalleled genetic diversity presents both a challenge and an opportunity to advance precision medicine, with a focus on leveraging pharmacogenetics to improve drug efficacy and reduce adverse reactions.

Catriona Jamieson, MD, PhD, discusses the role of stress-activated base editors like ADAR1p150 and APOBEC enzymes in cancer progression and highlights innovative approaches to halt these processes and improve therapeutic outcomes.

γδ T cells are emerging as a transformative immunotherapy approach in oncology, offering unique mechanisms for targeting hematologic and solid tumors, with clinical trials demonstrating promising survival outcomes and durable immune responses.

Pharmacists can improve hyperkalemia management through collaboration and innovation.

Challenges include therapy gaps, nonadherence, and fragmented care.

Managing bispecific antibodies requires collaboration and meticulous protocols.

Pharmacists bridge communication gaps and enhance shared decision-making.

A study in Lancet Haematology revealed that minority ethnic patients face significantly poorer outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation compared to White patients.

The phase 3 CEPHEUS trial demonstrated that adding daratumumab (DARA) to the VRd regimen significantly improves minimal residual disease negativity, progression-free survival, and overall response in transplant-ineligible or transplant deferred patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, establishing a new standard of care.

The GMMG-HD7 trial evaluated the addition of isatuximab to standard induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation, demonstrating significantly higher rates of minimal residual disease negativity and improved progression-free survival (PFS).

The phase 3 AMPLIFY trial demonstrates that fixed-duration regimens of acalabrutinib and venetoclax, with or without obinutuzumab, significantly improve progression-free survival and deliver manageable safety profiles compared to chemoimmunotherapy in treatment-naive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The AQUILA study demonstrates that early treatment with daratumumab significantly delays progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma, improves survival outcomes, and offers a well-tolerated alternative to traditional observation.

A ketogenic diet and its key metabolite, β-hydroxybutyrate, enhance the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy by improving metabolic fitness, cytokine production, and cellular expansion, offering a promising, safe strategy for optimizing cancer immunotherapy.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor agonists were shown to be associated with a reduced risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), while high dietary fiber intake was shown to enhance microbiome health, lower graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) severity, and improve overall survival following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition will include the latest news and clinical trial updates in the hematology field.

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, discusses a study she conducted that highlights how social determinants of health exacerbate severity and increase rates of mortality from Clostridioides difficile infections in vulnerable communities.

AI-powered drug response prediction technology is revolutionizing veterinary and human oncology by enabling personalized treatment plans through live cell testing, machine learning models, and data-driven precision medicine approaches.

An ACCP speaker explains that the FDA faces a multitude of challenges.

Data show that a child’s insurance status is independently associated with mortality after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Outpatient models are emerging as feasible alternatives to traditional inpatient care, offering potential benefits such as reduced hospitalization, improved social well-being, and cost savings.

Two clinical trials with MRD monitoring may be practice changing: TRACERx and AEGEAN.

ASCO is prioritizing the expansion of pharmacist involvement in its organization by recognizing pharmacists' contributions to safety standards, quality improvement initiatives, and certification programs.

Gut microbiome research is no longer an obscure field in cancer care.

These therapies are being investigated in earlier lines, with several new treatments in development.