OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITY

Oncology is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in medicine. Results presented at major cancer conferences from a plethora of ongoing clinical trials lead to the continuous emergence of new therapeutic agents and changes in the indications for existing treatments. In order to offer optimal patient care, the practicing medical oncologist must be well informed of these advances. To bridge the gap between research and patient care, this issue of Cancer Conference Update features one-on-one discussions with Drs George, Kim, Leonard, Venook and Winer on the integration of data presented at the 2008 Annual Oncology Meeting in Chicago, Illinois into the management of various types of cancer. Thus, this CME activity is designed to assist medical oncologists with the formulation of up-to-date clinical management strategies.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Evaluate the clinical relevance of emerging data in breast, colorectal, hepatocellular, lung, head & neck, thyroid, prostate, renal cell and select hematologic malignancies, and incorporate this information into treatment plans for appropriately selected patients.
• Critically review the data supporting the use of clinical and molecular markers in the individualized management of breast cancer, and integrate them into current neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic treatment decisions.
• Discuss the prognostic and predictive relevance of K-ras mutations in the clinical care of patients with lung or colorectal cancer, considering assay availability and impact on therapy selection.
• Evaluate the safety and efficacy of the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and thyroid cancer, and determine the current clinical applicability of these agents.
• Develop a treatment algorithm for the management of advanced renal cell cancer, incorporating the evidence-based use of multitargeted TKIs, anti-angiogenic agents and/or cytokines.
• Assess the practical implications of the emerging research using cytotoxic, biologic and novel androgentargeted agents for the treatment of castration-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.
• Critically evaluate the risk-benefit profiles of biologic and chemobiologic regimens with activity in locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and use this information when making individualized treatment recommendations.
• Review data on the evolving clinical role of cetuximab for the treatment of head & neck cancer, and incorporate this information into your current therapeutic algorithms.
• Discuss research advances using novel schedules, doses or pharmacologic agents for the treatment of non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelogenous leukemia, and determine how these may be applied to clinical practice.
• Review the new and recently updated clinical data focusing on the treatment of colorectal cancer and the prevention of therapy-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy in the adjuvant and metastatic settings.

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 2.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. 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 CME information, listen to the CDs and complete the Post-test and Educational Assessment and Credit Form located on our website at CancerConferenceUpdate.com.

This program is supported by educational grants from Abraxis BioScience, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation/Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Genentech BioOncology, ImClone Systems Incorporated, Pfizer Inc and Sanofi-Aventis.

Last review date: August 2008; Release date: August 2008; Expiration date: August 2009