Physician Assistant Perspectives: When to Consider Tazemetostat in R/R FL

EP: 1.Overview of R/R FL: Focus on the 3rd-Line Setting and Beyond START

EP: 2.Managing 3rd-Line R/R FL: Recognizing Progression, Performing Rebiopsies, and Rechecking for CD20 Positivity

EP: 3.Aligning Treatment Goals in R/R FL: Physician vs Patient Perspectives

EP: 4.Clinical Scenario: A 73-Year-Old Patient With R/R FL Requires Treatment in the Third-Line Setting

EP: 5.Expert Perspectives: Tazemetostat in R/R FL

EP: 6.Choosing Between Tazemetostat and Zanubrutinib+Obinutuzumab: Key Factors & Patient Conversations

EP: 7.Assessing CAR T and Bispecifics for R/R FL: Identifying the Right Candidates & Factoring in CD20 and CD19 Negativity or Positivity

EP: 8.Navigating Treatment Choices in R/R FL: Patient Values and Shared Decision-Making

EP: 9.Managing R/R FL: Evolving Sequencing Strategies

EP: 10.Key Strategies and Perspectives: How Novel 2nd-Line Therapy Options May Impact 3rd-Line Treatment Landscape in R/R FL and Bridging Strategies to CAR T

EP: 11.Collaborating With Community Providers in Treating Patients With Complex R/R FL

EP: 12.Looking Ahead in R/R FL: Unmet Needs and What’s Next

EP: 13.Physician Assistant Perspectives: Aligning Patient Goals in R/R FL and Navigating Third-Line Treatment Options

EP: 14.Physician Assistant Perspectives: Importance of Patient Shared Decision-Making and Multidisciplinary Team Approach in R/R FL

Now Viewing

EP: 15.Physician Assistant Perspectives: When to Consider Tazemetostat in R/R FL

When choosing third-line treatment options for follicular lymphoma, oral medications like tazemetostat offer a convenient and effective option. Unlike some therapies that require genetic testing, tazemetostat does not require the presence of the EZH2 mutation to be effective, simplifying treatment decisions. In an era with advanced therapies such as CAR T-cell treatment and bispecific antibodies, tazemetostat remains an important but sometimes overlooked option, valued for its ease of use and solid efficacy.

Patients in the third-line setting often have undergone multiple prior treatments and may experience physical fatigue or treatment-related side effects. Tazemetostat’s toxicity profile is generally favorable, with relatively low rates of severe adverse effects, making it more tolerable for many patients. Since it is an oral therapy taken at home, it reduces the need for frequent clinic visits or hospitalizations, which appeals to patients seeking to maintain an active lifestyle or avoid the inconvenience of infusions. Routine lab monitoring is still necessary but can typically be done locally, adding to the treatment’s accessibility.

Financial considerations can present challenges, especially for older patients relying on Medicare or limited insurance coverage, as co-pay costs for tazemetostat can be significant. Pharmacy support teams often work to secure co-pay assistance and manage financial barriers, helping patients access treatment without undue burden. When selecting treatments, factors like ease of administration, financial impact, toxicity, and patient lifestyle are all weighed carefully. Tazemetostat is frequently a favored option for patients looking for effective therapy that fits their daily lives without compromising quality of care.

A multidisciplinary approach plays a critical role in managing relapse or refractory follicular lymphoma. In an academic center setting, patient cases are reviewed collaboratively by a team that includes hematologists, advanced practice providers, nurse navigators, infusion nurses, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Beyond medical care, the team also integrates nutrition, psychosocial support, social work, psychology, and chaplaincy services to address patients’ holistic needs. Such support is particularly valuable as patients navigate complex treatment decisions and cope with the psychological impact of their illness.

Additionally, pharmacists and nurse navigators are essential team members who assist patients in managing medication interactions and coordinating care logistics. Pharmacists provide detailed medication reviews tailored to patients’ existing conditions and drugs, while nurse navigators ensure seamless scheduling of scans, labs, and treatment visits. This multidisciplinary model enhances patient comfort, supports shared decision-making, and helps deliver personalized, high-quality care throughout the patient’s treatment journey.