HOPA Members Write about the Latest Drug Updates

HOPA's External Affairs Committee helps bring drug updates into focus by assigning, editing, and publishing a series of Pharmacist Applications to Practice, or PAPs. PAP authors provide analysis and research on the application of these new drugs or indications and make their findings available as a resource for other members.

These assignments are great CV-builders for residents and early career oncology pharmacists but anyone can be a PAP author. Learn more in the Volunteer Activity Center.

Pharmacist's Application to Practice (PAP)

Use these member-authored Pharmacist's Application to Practice (PAPs) to read about the role of oncology drugs in treatment plans. Get research summaries, including end points, and Clinical Pearls, as well as explore the role of the hematology/oncology pharmacists in the application of these drugs. Check the latest Drug Updates.

microscopic view of multiple myeloma

Elranatamab-bcmm for multiple myeloma

(August 14, 2023) The FDA granted accelerated approval to elranatamab-bcmm (Elrexfio, Pfizer, Inc.), a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell engager. Click to read a Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

microscopic view of acute myeloid leukemia

Quizartinib for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

(July 20, 2023) The FDA approved quizartinib (Vanflyta, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.) with standard cytarabine and anthracycline induction and cytarabine consolidation, and as maintenance monotherapy following consolidation chemotherapy. Read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

diffuse large B-cell lymphoma under microscope

Glofitamab-gxbm for selected relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas

(June 15, 2023) The FDA granted accelerated approval to glofitamab-gxbm (Columvi, Genentech, Inc.) for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL, NOS) or large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) arising from follicular lymphoma. Read the Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

MeMerkel cell carcinoma illustration

Retifanlimab-dlwr for MCC

3/22/23 - FDA grants accelerated approval to retifanlimab-dlwr for metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Click to read a Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

woman with pink breast cancer ribbon

Elacestrant for (HR) Positive, (HER2) Negative metastatic breast cancer

1/27/23 - Elacestrant for Hormone Receptor (HR) Positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) negative metastatic breast cancer. Click to read a Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

mantle cell lymphoma

Pirtobrutinib for relapsed or refractory MCL

1/27/2023 - Learn about the potential role for pirtobrutinib in the treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a BTK inhibitor. Click to read more.

follicular lymphoma

Mosunetuzumab-axgb for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma

12/22/22 - FDA grants accelerated approval to mosunetuzumab-axgb for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Please click to read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

illustration of a human bladder and kidneys

Adstiladrin (nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg) for high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

12/16/22 - FDA Approves First Gene Therapy for the Treatment of High-Risk, Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

acute myeloid leukemia under a microscope

Olutasidenib for relapsed or refractory AML

12/1/22 - FDA approves olutasidenib (Rezlidhia) capsules for adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. Click to read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

scan of lung with abnormal cells

Adagrasib for KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC

12/12/22 - FDA grants accelerated approval to adagrasib for adult patients with KRAS G12C¬-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior systemic therapy.

cancer cells under magnification

Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx for FRα positive, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer

11/14/2022 - FDA grants accelerated approval to mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx for FRα positive, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer. Please click to read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

scan of adult lung with pink contrast

Tremelimumab for uHCC) and mNSCLC

11/10/2022 - Read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice about tremelimumab for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Please click to read.

forefinger touches dividing cells

Teclistamab-cqyv for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

10/25/22 - FDA approves teclistamab-cqyv for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Read our Pharmacist's Application to Practice.

colorful scan of human gallbladder

Futibatinib for cholangiocarcinoma

9/30/22 - FDA grants accelerated approval to futibatinib (Lytgobi, Taiho Oncology, Inc.) for adult patients with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma harboring fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene fusions or other rearrangements. Click to read our PAP.