Cancer Therapies: Pharmacist’s Role | Eileen Peng, PharmD
Pharmacists are at the forefront of modern cancer care. This means their role in patient selection for cutting-edge treatments and managing the often-complex side effects of those therapies is more critical than ever. Eileen Peng, PharmD, highlights how pharmacists are integral to care coordination, ensuring patients receive the best possible outcomes from novel treatments like CAR T-cell therapy. This isn’t just about dispensing; it is about optimizing timing, patient profiles, and managing side effects to help patients stay on treatment. As the landscape of cancer care continues to evolve,see how pharmacists adapt by visiting News Directory 3. Discover what’s next in pharmacy’s fight.
Pharmacists’ Role in Cancer Care Evolves With New Therapies
Updated may 25, 2025
The advent of innovative treatments like CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies is reshaping the pharmacist’s role in oncology care teams. Eileen Peng, vice president, chief administrator, and pharmacy officer at Astera Cancer Care, said pharmacists are now involved in patient selection and adverse effect management, moving beyond simply dispensing medication.
Peng spoke at an Institute for Value-Based Medicine event in Princeton, N.J., where she moderated a panel on pharmacy decision-making in oncology.
Pharmacists’ involvement extends to coordinating care among providers, patients, and their families. Peng emphasized the importance of appropriate patient selection, noting that not all patients are suited for CAR T-cell therapy or bispecific antibodies. Determining the optimal timing and patient profile is crucial for successful treatment.
Pharmacists, due to their close interaction with patients and lab results, often detect subtle changes or emerging symptoms early. This allows them to adjust dosages, modify treatment plans, and implement prophylactic measures to mitigate side effects, ultimately keeping patients on treatment longer.
What’s next
The continued advancement of novel cancer therapies will likely further expand the pharmacist’s role, requiring ongoing education and adaptation to new treatment protocols.