Oncology Pharmacists Connect (OPC) 2025: Annual Meeting

Laura Cannon, PharmD, MPH, BCOP, Clinical Assistant Professor - Pharmacy Practice Division, University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy

Laura Cannon headshot

Introduction

Oncology Pharmacists Connect (OPC) is an annual meeting held in collaboration with Pharmacy Times and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) with the purpose of advancing knowledge and practice in oncology pharmacy. The two-day meeting was held on June 19-20, 2025, in Austin, Texas, where oncology pharmacists from across the country participated in expert-led discussions, networking opportunities, and interactive workshops to expand their knowledge in the rapidly evolving oncology ecosystem. The OPC meeting is strategically held following the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting to incorporate practice-changing ASCO abstracts to expand clinical knowledge and engage peer discussions. Below are highlighted overviews of select presentations, abstracts, and workshops from the OPC meeting.

Presentation: Catching the Next Wave of Multiple Myeloma Treatment Approaches

  • Gabriel Hinojosa, PharmD, BCOP, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  • Melissa Pozotrigo, PharmD, BCOP, OncoHealth
  • Mahsa Talbott, PharmD, BCOP, Tennessee Oncology

The presentation highlighted key abstracts from ASCO 2025 focused on the treatment of multiple myeloma:

IRAKLIA (Abstract #7506) was a randomized, phase 3 non-inferiority study of subcutaneous isatuximab (n=263) given via an on-body device system compared to intravenous isatuximab (n=268).1 Both groups received isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide plus dexamethasone for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least one line of prior therapy. Both groups achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 71%, with the isatuximab subcutaneous group experiencing a significant reduction in infusion-related reactions (2% vs. 25%) and higher patient-reported satisfaction (70% vs. 53%).

MagnetisMM-6 Part 1 (Abstract #7504) was a randomized, phase 3 open-label trial to evaluate the optimal dose of the BCMA-directed bispecific antibody elranatamab 76 mg subcutaneous every 4 weeks plus daratumumab and lenalidomide (EDR) in newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible patients with multiple myeloma.2 At the time of data cutoff, patients receiving EDR (n=37) had an ORR of 91.9%, with 81.1% of patients achieving a very good partial response (VGPR), representing a paradigm shift to include bispecific antibodies in frontline therapy.

CARTITUDE-1 (Abstract #7507) provided a 5-year follow-up data from the phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE trial evaluating a single infusion of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma receiving 3 or more prior lines of therapy and were triple-class exposed (n=97).3 Approximately one-third (33%) of patients remained in remission ≥ 5 years after a single dose of cilta-cel without ongoing maintenance ​therapy; thus, begging the question is cilta-cel a potentially curative option for the patients in the relapsed/refractory myeloma setting.

Workshop: Precision Medicine in Oncology Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge to Practice

  • Mya Tran, PharmD, BCOP, Indiana University Health - Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

Precision medicine is here to stay, with the current landscape of oncology pharmacy relying on the increased number of molecularly targeted therapies and almost twice-a-month FDA approvals.4 The increased incorporation of precision medicine comes with an increasing responsibility of the healthcare team, and specifically, oncology pharmacists. A recent Pharmacy Times Continuing Education survey of oncology pharmacists conducted at the 2025 HOPA Annual Conference showed that only 9.5% of oncology pharmacists are actively leading precision medicine initiatives, while 44.8% are aware of initiatives but not directly involved, and 28.5% are unaware of initiatives.5 The same survey identified institutional and workflow issues to be the biggest barrier to precision medicine implementation (38.1%).

This workshop provided a review of the barriers to implementing precision medicine practices, including: tissue sampling, patient consent, cost, data interpretation, and sample processing time. Following this, pharmacist colleagues were given time to discuss specific barriers at their institution in small groups, providing an opportunity to learn from one another and brainstorm possible solutions to overcome these barriers. Small groups were encouraged to report out the most identified barriers to the larger audience, furthering the opportunity to work collectively to develop applicable solutions. Overall, this workshop provided a valuable networking and learning experience for pharmacy colleagues across the country, while offering extensive resources and an overview of the precision medicine landscape.

Presentation: Moving Toward Modern Treatment Modalities in Thoracic Oncology

  • Nicholas Capote, PharmD, MS, BCSCP, UCSF Health
  • Kevin Y. Chen, PharmD, MS, BCOP, CPP, UNC Medical Center
  • Paul Forsberg, PharmD, BCOP, MHA, US Oncology, McKesson

The presentation showcased high-impact abstracts from ASCO 2025 focused on thoracic oncology:

DeLLphi-304 (Abstract #LBA8008) was a randomized, open-label, phase 3 study evaluating the bispecific delta-like ligand 3-directed T-cell engager tarlatamab (n=410) vs. standard of care chemotherapy (n=202) in relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).6,7 Results showed an improvement in ORR (35% vs. 20%) and overall survival (13.6 months vs. 8.3 months; p<0.001) for patients receiving tarlatamab with a similar safety profile, supporting the use of tarlatamab in as early as the second-line setting for SCLC.

IMforte (Abstract #8006) was a randomized, open-label, phase 3 study assessing maintenance therapy with lurbinectedin + atezolizumab (n=242) vs. atezolizumab alone (n=241) in patients with extensive stage SCLC who received standard induction with carboplatin and etoposide plus atezolizumab for 4 cycles.8,9 While patients receiving lurbinectedin + atezolizumab had increased median progression-free survival (5.4 vs. 2.1 months; p<0.0001) and median overall survival (13.2 vs. 10.6 months; p=0.0174), they also experienced increased adverse effects leading to dose modification/interruption (37% vs. 14%) and treatment discontinuation (6% vs. 3%).

SACHI (Abstract #LBA8505) was a randomized, open-label, phase 3 study evaluating a highly selective MET-TKI, savolitinib, in combination with osimertinib (n=106) compared to cisplatin or carboplatin plus pemetrexed (n=105) in patients with EGFR-mutant metastatic NSCLC who progressed on a prior EGFR TKI.10 The combination of savolitinib plus osimertinib was more effective than platinum-based chemotherapy (ORR: 58% vs. 34%, p=0.0004; mPFS: 8.2 vs. 4.5 months, p<0.001; OS: 22.9 vs. 17.7 months) with minimal differences in toxicity, resulting in consideration of combination molecularly targeted therapy following progression on front-line EGFR inhibitor treatment.

Conclusion

OPC provided a well-rounded experience for attendees, incorporating clinical trial updates in multiple disease areas, solutions to address current challenges in the implementing of quality patient care, and ample opportunities to network with colleagues from across the country. The timing of OPC presents a prime opportunity to hear disease-specific experts discuss landmark abstracts following the ASCO Annual Conference. With the speed of the changing oncology landscape, the 2-day OPC conference provides everything you need and more to feel knowledgeable about upcoming treatment changes to provide optimal patient care at your institution.

Recommended Reading/References

1.Ailawadhi S, Spicka I, Lu J, et al. Isatuximab (Isa) subcutaneous (SC) via an on-body delivery system (OBDS) vs Isa intravenous (IV), plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): Results of the randomized, non-inferiority, phase 3 IRAKLIA study. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(17):7506

2.Quach H, Pour L, Grosicki S, et al. Elranatamab in combination with daratumumab and lenalidomide (EDR) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) not eligible for transplant: Initial results from MagnetisMM-6 part 1. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(suppl 16):7504.

3.Voorhees PM, Martin T, Lin Y, et al. Long-term (≥5 year) remission and survival after treatment with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in CARTITUDE-1 patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(16 suppl):abstract #7507.

4.Schwartzberg LS, Kim ES, Liu D, et al. Precision oncology: who, how, what, when, and when not? Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2017;37:160-169.

5.Hippensteele, A. Advancing precision oncology through pharmacy-led innovation. Pharmacy Practice Focus in Oncology. 2025;7(6). https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/advancing-precision-oncology-through-pharmacy-led-innovation

6.Rudin C, Mountzios GS, Sun L, et al. Tarlatamab versus chemotherapy (CTx) as second-line (2L) treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Primary analysis of Ph3 DeLLphi-304. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(17):LBA8008;

7.Mountzios G, Sun L, Cho BC, et al. Tarlatamab in Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Platinum-Based Chemotherapy. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(4):349-361.

8.Paz-Ares L, Borghaei H, Liu S, et al. Lurbinectedin (lurbi) + atezolizumab (atezo) as first-line (1L) maintenance treatment (tx) in patients (pts) with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Primary results of the phase 3 IMforte trial. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(17):8006;

9.Paz-Ares L, Borghaei H, Liu SV, et al. Efficacy and safety of first-line maintenance therapy with lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (IMforte): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2025;405(10495):2129-2143.

10.Lu S, Wang J, Yang, N, et al. Savolitinib (Savo) combined with osimertinib (osi) versus chemotherapy (chemo) in EGFR-mutant (EGFRm) and MET-amplification (METamp) advanced NSCLC after disease progression (PD) on EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI): Results from a randomized phase 3 SACHI study. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(17):LBA8505