Research Fund Award

Recipient 1

• Researchers: Amir Ali, PharmD; Michelle Chu, PharmD; and Bangyan L. Stiles, PhD
• Project Name: Exploring the Effects of GLP-1 on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Grant Amount: $33,258

The long-term effects of GLP-1R signaling in tissues beyond the pancreas remain incompletely understood. GLP-1R is variably expressed in some cancers, particularly elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While GLP-1-based therapies hold promise in liver disease and cancer-associated metabolic syndromes, their safety and efficacy should be rigorously evaluated in disease-specific models before broad clinical application.

Drs. Ali, Chu, and Stiles will investigate the relationship between GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through a multi-pronged approach integrating clinical data, molecular profiling, and functional studies. Study findings will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the safety, mechanistic basis, and therapeutic implications of GLP-1RA usage in the context of HCC.

Recipient 2

• Researchers: Shawn Griffin, PharmD, BCOP; Lydia Benitez Colon, PharmD, BCOP; Benjamin Jung-Hyun Lee, PharmD, BCOP; and Caitlin Rausch, PharmD, BCOP
• Project Name: Multicenter Retrospective Evaluation of Outcomes for Adult AYA ALL: A HERO Consortium Study
• Grant Amount: $62,311

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients aged 18-39 years old are a unique subgroup of the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) population due to their higher rate of unfavorable genomic characteristics and lack of consistency in the treatment approach across the United States. Due to the rarity of this disease and limited population, few prospective comparative studies exist. As a result, treatment decisions are commonly based upon retrospective research.

Through the Hematology Research and Outcomes (HERO) Consortium, Drs. Griffin, Benitez, Lee, and Rausch will conduct a multicenter retrospective cohort study to describe real-world treatment outcomes among AYA patients aged 18-39 years with Philadelphia-chromosome negative ALL. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of two treatment regimens utilized in this population, including asparaginase-containing regimens and the Hyper-CVAD regimen. Study findings will result in the largest-real world analysis currently available in this population and lead to a better understanding of the safety and long-term outcomes associated with various treatment strategies of adult AYA ALL.

• Researchers: Jai Patel, PharmD, and Grace (Dung) Nguyen, PharmD
• Project Name: Genetic & Clinical Factors Predictive of Severe Toxicity to Sacituzumab Govitecan
• Grant Amount: $49,109

High rates of severe adverse events, including neutropenia and diarrhea, have been reported with sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in clinical trials, and rates may be even higher in routine practice. Genetic polymorphisms in UGT1A1 and clinical risk factors such as age, performance status, and prior chemotherapy-related adverse events, may contribute to the risk of severe toxicities with sacituzumab.

Drs. Patel and Nguyen are conducting a non-interventional biomarker study that aims to identify pharmacogenetic and clinical factors associated with sacituzumab-related severe adverse events in patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast and urothelial carcinomas receiving standard treatment. Study findings will inform the development of a precision dosing algorithm to guide sacituzumab dosing and mitigate severe toxicities.

• Researcher: Issam Hamadeh, PharmD
• Project Name: Impact of BCMA and GPRC5D Polymorphisms on Response to Bispecific Antibodies Targeting BCMA and GPRC5D
• Grant Amount: $100,000

Currently, there is a gap in knowledge of surrogate markers response or resistance to bispecific T-cell engager (BTCE) antibodies. Germline polymorphisms in BCMA and GPRC5D as well as the genes involved in their downstream signaling pathways (TRAF3, MAP3K1, NFKB1, and IKBKB) have been identified as mechanisms of resistance.

Dr. Hamadeh plans to interrogate the polymorphisms in these genes and correlate these findings to response to BTCE antibodies in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving these agents as part of their clinical care.

Through the identification of molecular markers of response, their research proposal will help expand the scope of precision oncology to include immunotherapies such as BTCE antibodies.

• Researchers: Jordan Lundberg, PharmD, along with Narendranath Epperla, MD
• Project Name: Effect of pharmacogenomics on clearance of high-dose methotrexate in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Grant Amount: $58,000

Drs. Epperla and Lundberg are performing a prospective trial to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with delayed methotrexate clearance and increased toxicity in adult DLBCL patients receiving high-dose methotrexate. Identifying patients most likely to experience toxicity could improve care by decreasing nephrotoxicity, length of admission, and glucaparidase administration.

This research could lead to a cost-effective pharmacogenomics test to identify patients at high risk for methotrexate toxicity and optimize their management.

Recipient 1

• Researcher: Angela Stover, PharmD
• Project Name: Budgeting and piloting the patient centered pharmacy pathway for oral chemotherapy
• Grant Amount: $44,920

Adverse effects from oral chemotherapy remain a significant barrier to adherence which can lead to poorer outcomes. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address barriers to adherence.

Dr. Stover's pilot study seeks to incorporate patient reported outcome measures into a patient-centered process to facilitate pharmacist intervention. This pilot study will assess whether this intervention improves patient reported adverse effects and efficacy outcomes.

Recipient 2

• Researcher: Alexandre Chan, PharmD
• Project Name: PRO-Driven pharmacy education in ethnic minority patients receiving anti-cancer therapies
• Grant Amount: $38,116

Cancer care disparities in ethnic minorities result in poor patient outcomes. Training pharmacists to recognize early issues of cancer care barriers earlier may improve cancer care in ethnic minorities. To address the problem, Dr. Chan's PRIORITIES study seeks to utilize an established framework and incorporate pharmacist education into ethnic minorities cancer care. This study will assess the satisfaction and acceptance of pharmacist intervention and education.

Recipient 1

• Researcher: Benjamin Andrick, PharmD
• Project Name: Machine Learning Approach to Venous Thromboembolism Prediction in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy
• Grant Amount: $92,000

The objective of Dr. Andrick's study is to determine if a machine learning model can outperform the Khorana Score in predicting VTE in cancer patients. Several different algorithms will be compared against the Khorana Score. Additionally, known genetic risk factors will be incorporated to determine if these can increase predictive capabilities of the machine models.

If successful, this study can highlight alternative strategies to improve the prediction of cancer patients' risk of VTE.

Recipient 2

• Researcher: Alison Palumbo, PharmD
• Project Name: Remote Patient Reported Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients on Oral Anti-Cancer Therapy
• Grant Amount: $8,000

Quality of life impact for patients on oral chemotherapy has not been well defined. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) provide many benefits including improved outcomes, convenience, and opportunity for intervention to improve quality of life and reduce toxicity.

The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and utility of using electronic patient reported outcomes for quality of life.