Molecular Oncology 101: Practical Clinical and Research Issues in Targeted Therapy for Solid Tumors
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  • Special Feature
    • Proceedings from the Live CME Symposium Featuring Discussion on Breast, Colorectal, Lung and Genitourinary Cancer

      Click Here to Listen to the Audio

      Symposium Faculty:
      Click Here to Listen to Watch The Video
      Mario E Lacouture, MD
      Director, SERIES Clinic
      Assistant Professor
      Department of Dermatology
      Robert H Lurie Comprehensive
      Cancer Center
      Northwestern University
      Chicago, Illinois

      Patricia M LoRusso, DO
      Director, Phase I Service
      Karmanos Cancer Institute
      Professor of Medicine
      Wayne State University
      Detroit, Michigan

      Ronald B Natale, MD
      Medical Oncologist
      Cedars-Sinai Outpatient
      Cancer Center
      Senior Research Advisor and Director
      National Lung Cancer
      Research Program
      Aptium Oncology Inc
      Los Angeles, California      		 Gregory J Riely, MD, PhD
      Assistant Attending
      Memorial Sloan-Kettering
      Cancer Center
      New York, New York

      George W Sledge Jr, MD
      Ballve-Lantero Professor of Oncology
      Professor of Medicine and Pathology
      Melvin and Bren Simon Indiana
      University Cancer Center
      Indianapolis, Indiana

      Alan P Venook, MD
      Professor of Clinical Medicine
      University of California, San Francisco
      San Francisco, California

      Nicholas J Vogelzang, MD
      Director and Executive Vice President
      for Academic Affairs
      Nevada Cancer Institute, Las Vegas
      Professor of Medicine
      University of Nevada School of Medicine
      Las Vegas, Nevada
       
      Click here for more
  • Editor's Note
    Over the past several years, as our understanding of the pathophysiology and biology of cancer development and growth has rapidly expanded, we have witnessed a dramatic shift in focus away from a traditional chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic treatment paradigm toward a disease management model centered on exploiting and disrupting the unique molecular pathways responsible for cancer cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. This monumental change in approach has resulted in the development of a litany of novel biologic and molecularly targeted agents with efficacy across numerous tumor types and distinct mechanisms of action, tolerability considerations and individualized patient applications.

    Although the introduction of these new biologic therapies has provided substantial benefits to many cancer patients, it has also created a number of areas of controversy and confusion for clinicians. To that end, this unique event was designed to bring together clinical investigators with expertise across the oncology disease spectrum to examine common trends, themes and lessons learned through their extensive involvement in the clinical development of novel compounds. By providing an open discussion forum focused on this compelling subject matter, this meeting presented an array of theoretical and practical concepts relevant to the practicing oncologist. As such, the recorded proceedings represent a valuable and convenient means by which to gain perspectives and a deeper understanding of how current paradigms affect future research and current clinical care.

    Neil Love, MD
CME Information
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Molecular Oncology 101: Practical Clinical and Research Issues in Targeted Therapy for Solid Tumors

OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITY

During the past decade, the collaborative work of scientists and clinicians with diverse expertise and tumor-specific research interests has dramatically increased our understanding of the unique molecular pathways responsible for cancer-cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. This work has translated into the development of numerous biologic and molecularly targeted therapies in oncology. These agents have dramatically altered the way the oncology community approaches clinical trial design, treatment-emergent side effects, measurement of tumor-directed efficacy and the identification of patients likely to benefit from these treatments. The primary goal of this activity is to provide medical oncologists, hematologists, hematology-oncology fellows and other oncology healthcare professionals with the information they need to communicate the benefits and risks of integrating novel targeted agents into the oncologic treatment algorithm and to appropriately incorporate this knowledge into up-to-date patient care strategies.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Communicate the scientific and patient-level advantages of selective cellular targeting that may be achieved through the integration of novel molecular agents into the management of solid tumors.
  • Recognize the unique research and development challenges associated with the identification of effective dosing, scheduling and therapeutic duration of biologic and small-molecule antitumor agents.
  • Compile evidence-based strategies to manage the distinct side effects associated with the use of novel targeted compounds.
  • Distinguish the biologic rationale for concomitant versus sequential integration of cytotoxic-novel and combination- novel dual tumor targeting.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the specific molecular pathways targeted by investigational agents to inhibit the growth, development, survival or invasive action of neoplastic cells.
  • Counsel appropriately selected patients on the relevance and availability of ongoing clinical studies, considering the integral role of Phase I trial participation in maximizing cancer treatment advances.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY

This CME activity contains an audio component. To receive credit, the participant should review the Internet content, listen to the CD and complete the Post-test and Educational Assessment and Credit Form located at cme.researchtopractice.com.

CONTENT VALIDATION AND DISCLOSURES

Research To Practice (RTP) is committed to providing its participants with high-quality, unbiased and state-of-the-art education. We assess potential conflicts of interest with faculty, planners and managers of CME activities. Real or apparent conflicts of interest are identified and resolved through a conflict of interest resolution process. In addition, all activity content is reviewed by both a member of the RTP scientific staff and an external, independent physician reviewer for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies referenced and patient care recommendations.

FACULTY — The following faculty (and their spouses/partners) reported real or apparent conflicts of interest, which have been resolved through a conflict of interest resolution process: Dr Lacouture — Consulting Agreement: Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc; Paid Research: GlaxoSmithKline, Hana Biosciences Inc; Paid Speaker: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Speakers Bureau: ImClone Systems Incorporated. Dr LoRusso — Consultant/Advisory Board: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Genentech BioOncology, Pfizer Inc, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc; Grant/Research Support: Amgen Inc, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Inc, Array BioPharma Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Endocyte Inc, Exelixis Inc, Genentech BioOncology, GlaxoSmithKline, ImClone Systems Incorporated, Merck and Company Inc, Nereus Pharmaceuticals Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, ZIOPHARM Oncology Inc; Speakers Bureau: Genentech BioOncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis. Dr Natale — Advisory Committee: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech BioOncology, Pharmion Corporation, Roche Laboratories Inc; Consulting Agreement: Eli Lilly and Company; Paid Research: Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Genentech BioOncology, Millennium Pharmaceuticals — The Takeda Oncology Company, Pfizer Inc, Pharmion Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis; Speakers Bureau: Genentech BioOncology, OSI Oncology. Dr Riely — Consulting Agreements: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Roche Laboratories Inc. Dr Sledge — Advisory Committee: Genentech BioOncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Consulting Agreement: Genentech BioOncology; Paid Research: Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi-Aventis. Dr Venook — Advisory Committee: Amgen Inc, ImClone Systems Incorporated; Grant Funding: Genentech BioOncology; Paid Research: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc. Dr Vogelzang — Advisory Committee: Amgen Inc, Genentech BioOncology, GPC Biotech; Clinical Trials: Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc; Consulting Agreements: Amgen Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi-Aventis; Paid Research: Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc; Speakers Bureau: Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough Corporation, Wyeth.

MODERATOR — Dr Love does not receive any direct remuneration from industry. Research To Practice receives funds in the form of educational grants to develop CME activities from the following commercial interests: Abraxis BioScience, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Aureon Laboratories Inc, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation/Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc, Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech BioOncology, Genomic Health Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, ImClone Systems Incorporated, Merck and Company Inc, MGI Pharma Inc, Millennium Pharmaceuticals — The Takeda Oncology Company, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Ortho Biotech Products LP, OSI Oncology, Pfizer Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp and Wyeth.

RESEARCH TO PRACTICE STAFF AND EXTERNAL REVIEWERS — The scientific staff and reviewers for Research To Practice have no real or apparent conflicts of interest to disclose.

This educational activity contains discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research To Practice does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings. The opinions expressed are those of the presenters and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantor.

This program is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.

Hardware/Software Requirements:
An Internet connection that is least 28.8 Kbps
A monitor set to 1280 x 1024 pixels or more
Netscape 7.x or newer, Internet Explorer 5.x or newer, or Firefox
Macromedia Flash plug-in 6.0 or greater
Adobe Acrobat Reader
(Optional) Sound card and speakers for audio

Last review date: September 2008
Expiration: September 2009