This activity was originally presented at the 2026 HOPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.
Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) represents a significant global health burden, with esophageal cancer ranking as the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide and gastric cancer contributing substantially to mortality. Despite advances in multimodal treatment approaches, the median overall survival for patients with advanced GEA remains poor. Precision medicine approaches with biomarker-driven targeted therapies and immunotherapy in first-line treatment paradigms for advanced GEA are promising. Yet, the complex biomarker landscape in GEA requires oncology pharmacists to be well-versed in comprehensive testing to ensure optimal treatment selection and maximize identification of patients eligible for targeted therapies. This session will equip oncology pharmacists with the knowledge and skills needed to optimize outcomes for patients with advanced GEA through comprehensive biomarker testing workflows, particularly for the integration of HER2- and CLDN18.2-targeted therapies. The program will explore the epidemiology and pathobiology of key biomarkers in GEA, review FDA-approved diagnostic assays and interpretation nuances, and establish best-practice testing workflows that minimize turnaround time and ensure results are available before first-line treatment decisions. Interactive case discussions will illustrate real-world application of biomarker testing workflows and treatment decision-making in patients with HER2-positive and HER2-negative/CLDN18.2-positive GEA, emphasizing operational safeguards, patient-specific factors influencing treatment selection, and pharmacist-led interventions to proactively implement toxicity management strategies.
Target audience: Oncology pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 15, 2026
Expiration date: April 15, 2027
Learner level: Advanced
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Employ best-practice frameworks for biomarker testing workflows in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) to support timely identification of patients eligible for targeted therapies
- Manage the use of HER2- and CLDN18.2-targeted therapies in treatment planning for advanced GEA based on pivotal evidence, biomarker profiles, and patient-specific factors
- Construct evidence-based strategies to prevent, monitor, and manage toxicities associated with HER2- and CLDN18.2-directed therapeutic regimens in advanced GEA
Allison Schepers, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Medical Oncology
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, MI
Lingling Du, MD
GI Medical Oncologist
Director of Late Phase GI Cancer Clinical Trials
Medical Director of Ochsner Neuroendocrine Tumor Program
Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center
New Orleans, LA
Dat Le, PharmD, BCOP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacist
Northwestern Medicine
Chicago, IL
Accreditation
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 hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-066-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 15, 2027.
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.
Faculty
Lingling Du, MD, has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Grant/Research Support: Boston Scientific, Genentech, IGM Biosciences, Incyte, Janssen, Jazz, Novartis, Pfizer
Consultant: AstraZeneca, BeOne, BMS, Boston Scientific, Exelixis, Incyte, Ipsen, Merus, Pfizer, Sirtex
Speakers Bureau: AstraZeneca, Exelixis, Ipsen
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Allison Schepers, PharmD, BCOP
Dat Le, PharmD, BCOP
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Rose Buszka, PharmD, BCPS, CHCP; Daphne Davis, PharmD, BCOP; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta.
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
Continuing professional education 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 be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.
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