Deep Dive Workshop Highlights

Perspectives on Step Therapy and Immunotherapy for Cancer

In March 2019, ACCC hosted a Deep Dive Workshop on Real World Immuno-Oncology: A Multidisciplinary Look at Survivorship, irAEs, and Step Therapy. The workshop was held during the ACCC 45th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit in Washington, D.C. 

Two sessions during the workshop focused on step therapy. To frame the discussion, Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, Clinical Coordinator, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, presented on Case Studies: Introduction to Step Therapy.  Following Dr. McBride's presentation, a multidisciplinary panel shared their perspectives on the real-world impact of utilization of step therapy in oncology, along with current and future implications of increasing requirement for step edits. Panelists included a patient advocate who has received immunotherapy treatments and has first-hand experience with the challenges "fail first" therapy may present for patients with cancer.

At podium, Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP; panelists (seated L to R) Jenny Ahlstrom, Patient Advocate; Laura Wood, RN, MSN, OCN; Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, FACP; Jennie R. Crews, MD, MMM, FACP. 

Dr. McBride is ACCC President 2019-2020. Jenny Ahlstrom is a myeloma patient and Founder of The Myeloma CrowdCare Foundation. Laura Wood is Renal Cancer Research Coordinator, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. Dr. Spira is Medical Oncologist/Director VCS Research Institute & Phase I Trial Program, Virginia Cancer Specialists. Dr. Crews is Medical Director, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Network; Medical Director, Research Integration, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Washington.