Key Insights From ASH and SABCS Showcase Advancements for the Field of Oncology Pharmacy

At the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, California, and the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in Texas, data were presented that will impact the field of oncology in 2025. In this special conference issue, we provide an overview of key updates from both conferences.

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In the split cover feature, editorial advisory board member and associate editor Douglas Braun, PharmD, CSP, RPh, highlights findings from several key studies at both conferences. For the 66th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, Braun notes findings from phase 3 trials such as the AALL1731 trial (NCT03914625), which showed that blinatumomab improved survival in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as well as the InMIND trial (NCT04680052), which showed tafasitamab (Monjuvi; Incyte) enhanced progression-free survival in relapsed follicular lymphoma. For the 2024 SABCS meeting, Braun notes findings from phase 3 trials such as the OlympiA trial (NCT02032823) showing improved survival with olaparib (Lynparza; AstraZeneca) for BRCA-mutated, early-stage breast cancer, and the DESTINY-Breast06 trial (NCT04494425), which demonstrated the superior efficacy of trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu; Daiichi Sankyo) over chemotherapy for HER2-low metastatic cases.

On page 24, Jose Tinajero, PharmD, BCOP, discusses his ASH presentation on a retrospective analysis conducted at City of Hope investigating blinatumomab in relapsed/refractory and minimal residual disease (MRD)–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The analysis highlighted associations between genetic mutations (eg, TP53) and therapy outcomes, with findings suggesting that post-blinatumomab allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation may reduce relapse risk.

Additionally, Ryan Schuller, PharmD, BCOP, discusses the phase 2 ALPHA3 trial (NCT06500273) presented at ASH. The trial aimed to evaluate the ef ficacy of the allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (ALLO-501A; Allogene Therapeutics, Inc) as a consolidation treatment for large B-cell lymphoma with MRD following first-line chemoimmunotherapy.

Also, on page 38, Allison Butts, PharmD, BCOP, discusses FDA presentations at the SABCS meeting, which included discussions of FDA initiatives to modernize oncology drug development, alongside discussions on addressing clinical trial diversity and balancing efficacy with toxicity in breast cancer treatments.

We look forward to covering new developments in the field of oncology pharmacy in 2025, with another special issue covering presentations from the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2025 Congress in July. Please also join us in June to discuss these ASCO and EHA findings at our third annual Oncology Pharmacists Connect event in Austin, Texas.