When it comes to vaccine-preventable illnesses in patients with cancer, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Listen to our podcast to learn how pharmacy professionals can help promote this public health measure in our highly vulnerable population.    Learning Objectives: Describe current recommendations for specific immunizations in patients receiving treatment for cancer Discuss considerations for immunizations in patients with cancer with respect to timing around treatment Understand the role of the pharmacist in ensuring patients are up to date on vaccines About the Author: Irina Rajakumar

“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn” – Phil Collins.  This simple song lyric couldn’t be more representative of oncology pharmacy.  The pace of advancement in this field requires the need for constant learning. We will explore how we can harness our expertise and ability to learn to become the teachers needed for others to excel in this area. Learning Objectives: Explore the relationship between teaching and learning Appreciate why teaching is a necessary role for oncology pharmacy professionals Stimulate reflection on one’s own personal learning and teaching philosophy About the Author: Melanie Danilak

AML treatment options have exploded in the past 10+ years including the approval of different regimens in the non-intensive management of the disease. This podcast will review current practices and considerations for infection prevention for patients treated with myelosuppressive AML regimens. Learning Objectives: Describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and prognostic factors in the non-intensive management of AML Review the Canadian Landscape with a focus on current and emerging treatment options for the non-intensive management of AML Discuss current antimicrobial prophylaxis practices at different North American Oncology Centres Review current evidence for infection prophylaxis and drug interaction management in this population Review monitoring, following up and supportive care considerations for the Canadian Pharmacist About the Author: Jonathan Stevens

AINV is a common dose limiting toxicity that can impact adherence and quality of life. Pharmacists are in an ideal position to optimize management. Learning Objectives: Describe the pathophysiology of AINV Apply recommendations from practice guidelines to the treatment of patients with AINV Recognize challenges with completing AINV assessment using patient examples Explain the importance of the multidisciplinary approach to AINV management

When pharmacists provide education about oral chemotherapy medications, there are often recommendations regarding food around administration. This can lead to questions from patients about the well-known myth that sugar feeds cancer cells. Listen to an oncology dietitian as she provides tips on having discussions about sugar and cancer with your patients. Learning Objectives: Discuss the origin of the myth that sugar causes cancer (or that myth that patients with cancer must avoid sugar) Review the evidence behind dietary intake of sugar and incidence of cancer or cancer outcomes Provide tips for having effective discussions with patients regarding this topic Review dietary recommendations for patients undergoing cancer treatment About the Author - Grace Beda: Grace completed her bachelor's and master’s degrees in human nutrition at the University of Guelph in 2013, and has since worked as a Registered Dietitian for 10 years in Calgary, Alberta. She spent the first 5 years of her career in acute and tertiary care hospitals, covering a wide range of wards from general medicine to surgery and ICU. She transitioned to outpatient oncology 5 years ago at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary in the GI radiation clinics, then spent a year at the Red Deer Cancer Centre as the only oncology dietitian where she provided 1 on 1 consultation for patients from every tumor group. She moved back to the Tom Baker in 2020, working in the Head and Neck radiation clinics, then moved to malignant hematology and specifically bone marrow transplants in 2021, where she has happily settled in as part of a diverse multidisciplinary team in the Southern Alberta Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. References: Alberta Health, Alberta Government, Alberta Health Services. (2015, May 1). ABOUT 4 IN EVERY 10 CANCERS IN ALBERTA ARE CAUSED BY FACTORS THAT WE CAN CHANGE. Retrieved from healthiertogether.ca: https://www.healthiertogether.ca/health-conditions/cancer/ Arends, J. e. (2017). ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients. Clinical Nutrition, 36:11-48. Dashty, M. (2013). A quick look at biochemistry: Carbohydrate metabolism. Clinical Biochemistry, 46:1339-1352. FAO. (2011). Dietary Protein Quality Evaluation in Human Nutrition. Auckland, New Zealand: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Fenton, T. H. (2016). Systematic review of the association between dietary acid load, alkaline water and cancer. BMJ Open, 6(6): e010438. Ford, K. A. (2022). The importance of protein sources to support muscle anabolism in cancer: An expert group opinion. Clinical Nutrition, 41:192-201. Gallagher, E. L. (2020). Hyperinsulinaemia in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer, Nov;20(11):629-644. Hamaguchi, R. I. (2022). Clinical review of alkalization therapy in cancer treatment. Front Oncol, 12: 1003588. Liberti, M. L. (2016). The Warburg Effect: How Does it Benefit Cancer Cells? Trends Biochem Sci, Mar; 41(3): 211–218. Mintziras I, M. M. (2018). Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are significantly associated with poorer overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Surg , 59:19–26. Prado, C. L. (2022). Examining guidelines and new evidence in oncology nutrition: a position paper on gaps and opportunities in multimodal approaches to improve patient care. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30:3073–3083. Vigneri, R. S. (2020). Rethinking the Relationship between Insulin and Cancer. Trends Endocrinol Metab, Aug;31(8):551-560. Xiao J, C. B. (2020). Association of low muscle mass and low muscle radiodensity with morbidity and mortality for colon cancer surgery. JAMA Surg, 155:942–949. Zhang, A. W. (2021). Hyperinsulinemia in Obesity, Inflammation, and Cancer. Diabetes Metab J, May; 45(3): 285–311.

For geriatric cancer patients with multiple comorbidities, the management of cancer may present many therapeutic challenges, so treatment should be tailored to this demographic. Learning Objectives: Discuss the need and role of (GA) Geriatric Assessment for older patients with cancer.  Explain what GA is. Introduce tools used in GA. Highlight the role of pharmacists in geriatric oncology and medication review for older patients.

Hear from CAPhO's Research Committee Chair Tiffany Nguyen in the latest British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) "Let's Talk About SACT" Podcast Episode. In this episode Tiffany Nguyen sheds light on a variety of research projects currently happening in Canada. Topics include pharmacists managing patients treated with ICIs, a community pharmacy engagement initiative for oral anticancer drugs, research in climate stewardship, as well as international collaboration on research projects. A very special thanks to BOPA for hosting and developing the episode! To learn more, please visit the episode on BOPA's website

ICIs are increasingly being used in the management of oncologic conditions. Although it provides an effective treatment option with the opportunity for long-term positive outcomes, it has the potential for autoimmune toxicities with a variable and prolonged time course. Tune in to hear how the pharmacist can play a key role in imAE management in patients receiving ICIs. The Topic of Episode 12: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Management. Learning Objectives: Summarize the spectrum of immune mediated adverse events (imAE) with ICIs and apply management principles using the five pillars of imAE management Discuss challenges with identification and management of imAEs with combination therapy such as ICI + TKIs Review clinically relevant pharmacodynamic drug interactions with ICIs and with practical management tips Describe the role of the pharmacist in caring for patients receiving ICIs Glenn Myers is a pharmacist with a focus in outpatient medical oncology at the Dr. Sheldon H Rubin Oncology Clinic in Moncton, New Brunswick. Glenn completed a BSc (Pharmacy) at Dalhousie University in 2011 and subsequently went on to complete his hospital residency at the Saint John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick. Glenn has been practicing in ambulatory oncology for over 10 years and focuses on clinical assessment and management of chemotherapy, oral anti-cancer and immune related adverse effects in patients with cancer. Glenn maintains an active role as the chair of the sponsorship committee with the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO). Glenn’s other professional interests include teaching and mentoring various levels of pharmacy learners, providing practical education to healthcare professionals, working with retail pharmacies to improve oncology patient care in the community, and performing oncology pharmacy practice-based research to advance the scope of oncology pharmacy.

Bringing a piece of Spain, and lots of practice advancing insights, back to Canada in this post-ISOPP recap from one of the ISOPP Travel Grant award winners. The topic of episode 11: Discussing hot topics from the ISOPP 2023 conference in Seville Spain. Learning Objectives: Provide an overview of the oncology pharmacy burnout plenary session and share major takeaways from the presentation (including resources) Discuss the technology developments influencing your future of pharmacy practice (from those presented at the conference) Discuss the therapeutic innovations and research presented at ISOPP 2023 Highlight the incredible learning opportunities made possible by the CAPhO travel grant program For more information about the podcast, please click here. Guest for this episode: Lauren Hutton Lauren Hutton is the Clinical Coordinator for Oncology Pharmacy at Nova Scotia Health – Central Zone. Lauren completed a BSc(Pharmacy) at Dalhousie University, her hospital residency at The Ottawa Hospital, and subsequently went on to complete her PharmD at the University of Toronto.  Lauren has been practicing in oncology for six years. Her oncology clinical practice areas have included ambulatory medical oncology, acute inpatient palliative oncology, and multiple myeloma ambulatory care. Lauren’s current clinical practice is as an interdisciplinary member of a medical oncology team where she provides care to patients living with prostate cancer receiving treatment with oral anti-cancer therapy.

Although continuing education is an obligation, it doesn’t need to be daunting.  Professional development activities can be engaging, rewarding, and a regular part of your professional routine.  Let’s explore ways to stay motivated and strategies to prioritize your learning.   The topic of episode 7: How to stay up to date in oncology pharmacy Learning Objectives: Identify personal areas of knowledge which require updates Identify resources for continued education in oncology pharmacy Create personal learning goals for continued education Create a plan and schedule for continued education Guest for this episode: Tara Leslie Tara Leslie attained her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSP) degree from the University of Saskatchewan.  After several years of oncology practice in Calgary, she obtained her Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) in 2010, acquired her Additional Prescribing Authority (APA) in 2013 and attained a Masters of Education in 2020. In 2017, Tara was the recipient of the Larry Broadfield CAPhO Distinguished Service Award for her commitment to CAPhO and contributions to oncology service.  Currently, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta where she teaches oncology related curriculum in a variety of courses and is a part of the experiential education team. Tara maintains a clinical practice within an ambulatory hematology/oncology clinic at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.  She is very passionate about lifelong learning and the important role that pharmacists have in supportive care for people with cancer.