Roy F. Chemaly, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP - Managing CMV in the New Era of Antiviral Therapy: Practical Considerations in the HCT Setting

Go online to PeerView.com/JVG860 to view the entire program with slides. Effective antiviral prophylaxis and therapy for opportunistic human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in transplant recipients and other immunocompromised hosts has long relied mainly on ganciclovir and its oral prodrug valganciclovir, with foscarnet and cidofovir in secondary roles. Use of these viral DNA polymerase inhibitors has improved clinical outcomes, particularly when used as prophylaxis or preventive therapy, but their use is associated with well-known limitations of toxicity as well as cross-resistance due to the same antiviral drug target. However, after many years of few tangible advances, we are now experiencing an exciting period characterized by novel antiviral agents for CMV. In this activity, based on a recent live symposium held at the 2019 TCT Meetings in Houston, Texas, experts discuss managing CMV in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients in a new era of antiviral therapy. Utilizing interactive clinical case scenarios, the expert faculty outlines best practices to prevent CMV infection in patients undergoing HCT and then examine the role of novel antiviral therapies in resistant/refractory CMV. Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to: Identify unmet needs associated with the management of CMV infection in HCT recipients, Describe the efficacy and safety of novel strategies to prevent and treat CMV infection in the HCT setting, Integrate expert recommendations and recent evidence into the therapeutic decision-making process to prevent and treat CMV infection after HCT.