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CASP Certification Program
Module 4: Specialty Disease Management I: Oncology & Immunology
Mastering the Complexities of Cancer and Immune-Mediated Diseases.
From Dispensing Expertise to Disease State Mastery
Welcome to Module 4, where we transition from the foundational principles of advanced clinical decision-making to their direct application in some of the most complex and rapidly evolving areas of specialty pharmacy: Oncology and Immunology. Your expertise in medication management, honed through years of practice, is the essential starting point for mastering these challenging fields. However, managing patients with cancer or severe immune-mediated diseases requires a deeper dive into pathophysiology, intricate treatment protocols, targeted therapies, and the profound impact these conditions and their treatments have on patients’ lives.
This module is designed to equip you with the specialized knowledge and clinical acumen required to function as an indispensable member of the oncology and immunology care teams. We will move beyond simply verifying doses to understanding the rationale behind complex chemotherapy regimens, the nuances of immunotherapy and targeted agents, the management of life-altering autoimmune conditions with biologics, and the critical importance of proactive toxicity mitigation.
Think of this module as translating your fluency in the language of drugs into fluency in the language of specific, high-stakes diseases. You will learn to anticipate challenges, optimize therapies based on individual patient factors and biomarkers, navigate the complexities of biosimilar integration, and manage the significant adverse effects associated with these powerful treatments. Your role evolves from ensuring medication safety to actively shaping therapeutic strategy and ensuring patient resilience throughout their treatment journey.
Navigating the Landscape of Oncology & Immunology
This module provides a comprehensive exploration of key therapeutic areas and practice considerations within oncology and immunology.
4.1 Oncology Pharmacy Principles and Oral Chemotherapy Management
A deep dive into fundamental oncology concepts, chemotherapy classifications, regimen interpretation, and the unique challenges of managing oral anticancer agents, including adherence, toxicity, and safe handling.
4.2 Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and CAR-T Cell Treatment
Exploring the revolutionary advances in cancer treatment, including checkpoint inhibitors (and their irAEs), targeted molecular therapies based on genomic profiling, and the cutting-edge field of CAR-T cell therapy.
4.3 Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, and Dermatology Biologics
Mastering the use of biologic agents (TNF inhibitors, IL inhibitors, etc.) for complex immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, focusing on drug selection, monitoring, immunogenicity, and infection risk mitigation.
4.4 Biosimilar Adoption and Switching Strategies
Applying the principles from Module 3 to the specific contexts of oncology and immunology, addressing clinical data, payer pressures, interchangeability, and patient counseling for biosimilar transitions.
4.5 Toxicity Mitigation and Patient Safety
A synthesis of proactive adverse effect management strategies specifically tailored to common and severe toxicities encountered in oncology and immunology, including REMS programs and supportive care optimization.
