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.