Epcoritamab in RRFL: Efficacy Data, Administration Considerations, and the Pharmacist's Operational Role

In this episode, 'Epcoritamab in RRFL: Efficacy Data, Administration Considerations, and the Pharmacist's Operational Role,' Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL explores the following questions:

1. Other combinations are being explored with lenalidomide and rituximab, such as the addition of epcoritamab. What did the latest phase 3 data from the EPCORE FL-1 trial reveal in terms of efficacy and safety?
2. In terms of administration and patient management, what are key distinguishing factors that you think about as a pharmacist?

Ryan Haumschild highlighted the compelling efficacy data emerging from the EPCORE FL-1 trial, noting that the addition of epcoritamab to the R² backbone produced overall response rates better than with R² alone, with progression-free survival data still maturing at the time of interim readouts. He also outlined the key operational and clinical differentiators that distinguish epcoritamab from the monoclonal antibody combinations discussed earlier, with particular attention to the step-up dosing protocol required to mitigate cytokine release syndrome (CRS) risk, the monitoring infrastructure needed to safely manage CRS and infection risk, and the growing opportunity to transition patients from inpatient step-up dosing to outpatient administration, a shift that could lower total cost of care, reduce care setting dependency, and improve the patient-centeredness of treatment delivery. Ryan Haumschild further emphasized the critical role pharmacists play in supporting the safe and sustainable implementation of bispecific therapies, including developing order sets and sequencing frameworks, establishing adverse event protocols, ensuring pre-treatment corticosteroid use to reduce CRS severity, maintaining 24-hour emergency access for patients, and delivering ongoing patient education throughout the full course of therapy.

Throughout the conversation, the experts provide a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape how clinicians approach care moving forward.

The next episode in this series, 'From Promise to Practice: Overcoming Access and Administration Challenges for Bispecifics in RRFL,' features Ryan Haumschild advancing his conversation on follicular lymphoma and focusing on the most significant barriers to bispecific antibody and CAR-T access and administration in community practice and the innovative care delivery models that may help overcome these challenges.