Speaker: 

Jason Bergsbaken, PharmD, BCOP

Pharmacy Coordinator, Regional Oncology Services

UW Health University Hospital

Madison, Wisconsin

Clinical Assistant Professor

University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Pharmacy

Madison, Wisconsin

Jason Bergsbaken, PharmD, BCOP, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

At the completion of this activity, pharmacists, physicians, and nurses will be able to:

• Use the necessary diagnostic testing strategies to determine when PARP inhibitors will be appropriate treatment options
• Identify PARP inhibitor strategies that align with ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, based on tumor characteristics.
• Determine opportunities to provide recommendations for appropriate support of patients who are treated with PARP inhibitors

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

• Recall necessary diagnostic testing strategies for treatment with PARP inhibitors
• Indicate PARP inhibitor strategies that align with ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.
• Recognize opportunities and resources available to support patients treated with PARP inhibitors.

Activity Overview

PARP inhibitors have become a focus of clinical investigation, with approved indications across a variety of solid tumors. Predictive biomarkers and diagnostics have increased clinicians’ ability to assess individuals who may most likely benefit from use of PARP inhibitors, especially those whose tumors present with BRCA1/2 mutations, as well as identify potential for cancers to become resistant to PARP inhibition therapy. However, the emerging and expanding PARP inhibitors are markedly different from traditional oncology agents. Oncology care professionals need to understand the distinct adverse effect profiles associated with PARP inhibitors in order to safely and effectively integrate them in clinical practice. As the role of PARP inhibitors continues to expand with more personalized treatment regimens and longer periods of treatment, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians must be familiar with available resources that can assist in mitigating financial toxicity and out-of-pocket expenses for patients. This activity will explore strategies for oncology practitioners to employ a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate incorporation of PARP inhibitors in their patient care.