Exploring the Role of Axatilimab in the Treatment of Recurrent or Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

June 24, 2025

- The OPN and the ACCP H/O PRN Journal Club is a monthly virtual (online) event. 

Overview

This virtual oncology pharmacy journal club provides an interactive, accredited platform for pharmacists to critically evaluate emerging literature, discuss real-world clinical challenges, and apply evidence-based strategies to patient care. Designed specifically for oncology pharmacists, the program fosters ongoing professional development, enhances therapeutic decision-making, and supports the evolving role of pharmacists within the cancer care team.

The AGAVE-201 clinical trial was instrumental in leading to the FDA approval of axatilimab for the treatment of recurrent or refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). This presentation will focus on reviewing the AGAVE-201 trial, including its design, patient population, intervention, and key findings. Additionally, it will provide a brief overview of the pathophysiology of cGVHD and summarize other FDA-approved therapies currently available. Finally, we will explore the role of axatilimab in clinical practice and discuss the broader implications of the AGAVE-201 trial for patient care. 

Identified Gap(s)

Oncology pharmacists lack regular, structured opportunities to engage with emerging literature and apply new evidence to clinical practice. The rapid pace of drug development, evolving treatment guidelines, and increasing complexity of oncology care demand ongoing education that is interactive and peer driven. The absence of oncology-specific journal clubs limits pharmacists’ ability to stay current, critically evaluate research, and contribute fully to multidisciplinary care—ultimately impacting patient outcomes.

Description of Current State

Oncology pharmacists are increasingly stepping into high-value, patient-focused roles due to the growing complexity of cancer care and shortages of oncologists and nurses. With over 50 new cancer drugs approved in 2024 alone, the need for pharmacists to stay current with treatment advances is critical.1 However, educational gaps persist, as pharmacists often lack access to oncology-focused continuing education. As drug experts on the care team, they must be equipped to manage complex therapies and fill care gaps—particularly in areas like pregnancy-associated cancer and supportive care.

Description of desired/achievable state

Oncology pharmacists will have access to a virtual, accredited journal club designed to support continuous learning and clinical application of emerging evidence. This interactive platform will foster peer-to-peer discussion, enhance critical literature appraisal skills, and empower pharmacists to deliver evidence-based care in complex scenarios, ultimately strengthening their role within the oncology care team.

Upon completion of this journal club, you will:

  1. Review the pathophysiology of chronic graft-versus-host disease and the mechanism of action of axatilimab
  2. Describe the design, population, intervention, and results of the AGAVE-201 clinical trial
  3. Discuss the clinical practice implications of the AGAVE-201 trial in managing patients with recurrent or refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease

Target Audience

This activity is intended for oncology pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and pharmacy residents who are involved in the treatment of cancer patients.

Presented By

                         

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.50 ACPE Pharmacy
    The Washington State Pharmacy Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This conference is approved for up to 0.50 credit by the Washington State Pharmacy Association.

    This activity is approved for up to 0.50 credit by the Washington State Pharmacy Association. Activity Type: Live| Start/End date: Tue, 06/24/2025 - 11:55am-Tue, 06/24/2025 - 12:35pm The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education. NOTE FOR PHARMACISTS: It is the responsibility of the pharmacist or pharmacy technician to provide the correct information [NABP eProfile ID and DOB (in MMDD format)] within the evaluation, in order to receive credit for participating in this CPE activity. Following the activity’s end date, there is a maximum of 60 days allowed to upload the CPE information to the CPE Monitor. WSPA will upload the CPE information to the CPE monitor 60 days after the activity - please check your CPE Monitor at this time to ensure the CPE is uploaded in your profile. If you encounter any CPE problems, please contact WSPA at 425- 228-7171
Course opens: 
05/27/2025
Course expires: 
07/25/2025
Event starts: 
06/24/2025 - 11:55am PDT
Event ends: 
06/24/2025 - 12:35pm PDT
Cost:
$0.00
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Please note: times are subject to change. Please check the syllabus for the most current version of the agenda upon arriving at the summit.

All Times Listed are for the Eastern Standard Time Zone

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

3:00pmWelcome and Introduction
» Kyle Zacholski, PharmD -  BCOP PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident - Virginia Commonwealth University Health System - Richmond, VA
3:05pmExploring the Role of Axatilimab in the Treatment of Recurrent or Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease 
» Alexa Kupper, PharmD
3:35pmClosing Comments
» Kyle Zacholski, PharmD, BCOP - BCOP PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident - Virginia Commonwealth University Health System - Richmond, VA
Online Livecast
United States

Faculty

Kyle Zachoiski, PharmD, BCOP (Moderator)

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist,
Hematology & Oncology 
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Richmond, VA

Dr. Kyle Zacholski is a board-certified oncology pharmacist at VCU Health and clinical assistant professor at VCU School of Pharmacy in Richmond, VA. At VCU Health, he serves as the program director for the PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency program and specializes in malignant hematology with over 5 years of clinical practice experience. His research interests include optimizing treatment and supportive care for patients with acute leukemia and bone marrow failure syndromes. Dr. Zacholski also currently serves as a pharmacy committee member for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology cooperative group.

Alexa Kupper, PharmD (Speaker)

PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident
Duke University
Durham, NC

Alexa Kupper completed her Doctor of Pharmacy education in Richmond, Virginia and her PGY1 Residency at Tampa General Hospital. She is currently a PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident at Duke University Hospital. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she serves on the Oncology Formulary Evaluation Committee and has a research project assessing risk factors, monitoring strategies, incidence, and management of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) in advanced breast cancer with brain metastases. Her professional interests include malignant hematology and cellular therapies, and she is looking forward to working as a clinical oncology pharmacist after completing residency. 

Program Planner

Shawn Griffin

Oncology Pharmacist/Assistant Clinical Professor
University of California, Irvine 
Irvine, California

Shawn Griffin is a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist and Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. He practices within the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prior to joining UCI, Griffin worked as a Hematology/Stem Cell Transplant pharmacist at Indiana University Health for five years. He received PharmD from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy and PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital.

Disclosures

Horizon CME requires all planners, faculty, and other contributors to disclose any financial relationships with an ACCME defined ineligible company within the past 24 months and Horizon CME has resolved any conflicts prior to this educational activity.
Planners

*Horizon CME has mitigated and resolved all relevant financial relationships

Alexa Kupper, PharmD - discloses no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients during the past 24 months.

Those others involved in the planning of this activity disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.
Other Contributors

Other Contributors

All other non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development and editing/review of the content disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by or used on patients.

Available Credit

  • 0.50 ACPE Pharmacy
    The Washington State Pharmacy Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This conference is approved for up to 0.50 credit by the Washington State Pharmacy Association.

    This activity is approved for up to 0.50 credit by the Washington State Pharmacy Association. Activity Type: Live| Start/End date: Tue, 06/24/2025 - 11:55am-Tue, 06/24/2025 - 12:35pm The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education. NOTE FOR PHARMACISTS: It is the responsibility of the pharmacist or pharmacy technician to provide the correct information [NABP eProfile ID and DOB (in MMDD format)] within the evaluation, in order to receive credit for participating in this CPE activity. Following the activity’s end date, there is a maximum of 60 days allowed to upload the CPE information to the CPE Monitor. WSPA will upload the CPE information to the CPE monitor 60 days after the activity - please check your CPE Monitor at this time to ensure the CPE is uploaded in your profile. If you encounter any CPE problems, please contact WSPA at 425- 228-7171

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Required Hardware/software

Access to the internet is required.

Supported Browsers:

Internet Explorer 8.0+ for Windows 2003, Vista, XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and above

Google Chrome 28.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux

Mozilla Firefox 23.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux

Safari 6.0+ for Mac OSX 10.7 and above


Supported Phones & Tablets:

Android 4.0.3 and above

iPhone/iPad with iOS 6.1 or above

How to obtain credit for attendance (eligibility requirement and process for obtaining certificate)
To receive documentation of credit, participants must:

  1. Login to the educational portal

  2. Attend the educational activity

  3. Complete the online evaluation form. The last day to access the evaluation is July 25, 2025 at 11:59pm PST* 

  4. Attest to the number of hours in attendance in order to generate your certificate 

*Requests from learners to claim credit after the evaluation closes will not be granted