Managing Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease With Novel Therapies: Opportunities for Pharmacist-Led Interventions

Program Description

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) remains a significant challenge for patients who require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These patients often experience multi-organ complications with varied symptoms that require complex combination regimens to address different manifestations. The use of multiple agents can lead to a greater risk of drug-drug interactions and cumulative toxicities, presenting a significant management challenge for oncology pharmacists. This session will review the complex pathophysiology of cGVHD and practical strategies for oncology pharmacists to optimize care for patients with steroid-refractory cGVHD using emerging targeted therapies. Key clinical evidence for novel agents, including ruxolitinib, ibrutinib, belumosudil, and axatilimab, will be discussed, with shared insights on real-world therapy selection and sequencing informed by patient-specific factors, including comorbidities, organ involvement, and potential adverse effects. A core component of this session will be dedicated to the oncology pharmacist's role in improving medication safety and adherence, implementing strategies for managing complex post-transplant regimens, and educating patients on how to handle adverse effects. The program features an expert-led case discussion outlining specific challenges and solutions for oncology pharmacists involved in the care of patients with cGVHD.

Target Audience: Oncology Pharmacist

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: December 5, 2025
Expiration date: December 5, 2026
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the mechanism of action of novel therapies for the treatment of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD)
• Examine how novel therapies are used in steroid-refractory cGVHD
• Explore strategies to optimize medication safety and adherence in cGVHD treatment.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-25-399-H05-P. The activity is available for CE credit through December 5, 2026.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Faculty

Jennifer Collins, PharmD, BCOP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Daphne Davis, PharmD, BCOP; Victoria Chirdo; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Pharmacy Times® Editorial Staff— Aislinn Antrim

Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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