At HealthPRO Canada, many of our team members have extensive hospital pharmacy experience, which gives us a unique advantage in understanding and addressing the real-world challenges faced by our members. This hands-on knowledge allows us to offer practical, evidence-based solutions that reflect the complexities of care delivery in hospital settings—especially in oncology, where treatment options can be limited and time-sensitive.

In a recent case report published in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, our Clinical Director of Pharmacy, Alina Rashid, who has extensive experience in oncology pharmacy practice, shares a compelling example of how such a protocol was successfully implemented at a community hospital.

Alina highlights, along with co-author Philip Kuruvilla, how monoclonal antibodies have become a cornerstone in the treatment of both solid and hematologic malignancies. Among them, brentuximab vedotin (BV)—an antibody–drug conjugate targeting the CD30 antigen—has shown significant promise in treating cancers like peripheral T-cell lymphoma. However, hypersensitivity reactions to BV present a serious challenge, especially for patients who have exhausted other treatment options. These reactions can force the discontinuation of a potentially life-saving therapy. Fortunately, emerging evidence supports the use of rapid desensitization protocols as a means to safely continue BV treatment in patients with hypersensitivity.

The case outlines how a gradual reintroduction of BV using controlled, incremental dosing enabled continued therapy—ultimately improving the patient’s quality of life and prognosis. It adds to the growing body of clinical knowledge supporting desensitization protocols, offering practical insights for healthcare teams navigating similar treatment barriers. It also underscores the critical role of hospital pharmacists in optimizing oncology care, even in community settings.

Rapid desensitization protocols are not only clinically effective—they also have the potential to reduce healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary treatment delays or switches.

Want to learn more about this case and its implications for oncology care? Click here to read the full case study.