A Pharmacist-Led Care Model for Oncolytic Virus Treatment Delivery

Oncolytic viruses are a novel and effective way to treat cancers by infecting and destroying cancer cells, but clinical delivery necessitates creative strategies to account for the required safety protocols, deep-freeze storage, and rigorous clinical oversight. The University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is a referral center for the only currently FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy for cancer, talimogene laherparepvec, and its staff noticed that a common pain point for patients receiving this treatment is the extensive time spent in appointments. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with 2026 ACCC Innovator Award winner Morgan Gwynn, PharmD, BCOP, CPP, an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at UNC Lineberger, about her program's development of a pharmacist-led care model to make oncolytic virus treatments more efficient for patients and providers. By moving toxicity assessment, clinical review, and dose planning to pre-treatment telemedicine visits, the program reduced treatment time by more than 2 hours per session and helped decrease unnecessary clinic visits and drug waste. "Just because there's one way that things are done, [that] doesn't mean that's the only way things can be done...Finding creative solutions that benefit...the patient, the physician, and our pharmacy...was key." – Morgan Gwynn, PharmD, BCOP, CPP Guest: Morgan Gwynn, PharmD, BCOP, CPP Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner University of North Carolina Medical Center
 UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Chapel Hill, North Carolina Resources: ACCC 43rd National Oncology Conference 2026 ACCC Innovator UNC Lineberger A Pharmacist-Led Strategy to Improve Care With Oncolytic Virus Treatments Heart and Healing: Embedding Pharmacists in Cardio-Oncology Clinics Oncology Pharmacy Virtual Office Hours Highlight Emerging Strategies for Implementing Bispecific Antibodies