Molecular Pathways and Markers: New Directions in Personalized Therapeutic Approaches to Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer - Part 2

Program Description
Recent advances in the study of existing markers, combinations of markers, and new technologies are helping clinicians to get a jump start on NSCLC, a potential deadly disease. Other hopeful advances include a number of novel agents that target specific molecular pathways in tumor cells, and research on these discoveries is ongoing. The molecular/genetic profiling of solid tumor cancers is currently being used to characterize tumors by their expression of specific markers. These molecular profiles have the potential to predict a response, or resistance to specific standard or novel therapies and to identify a benefit from a new or standard agent, based on clinical trial evidence.Recent months and years are ushering in a fundamental shift toward personalized therapeutic regimens and care plans.

Challenges and different points of view exist in the medical community about the appropriate mode of administration, as well as the appropriate therapy/combination therapies for treating solid tumor cancers. Clinical decisions involve balancing the benefits and risks of chemotherapeutic agents, based on the toxicity profile of these agents and their ability to overcome resistance/sensitivity of platinum-based agents.  It is important for clinicians to have a forum to discuss challenges, exchange viewpoints, and assess risks and benefits of therapeutic options in order to formulate effective strategies for optimal patient care. 

Learning Objectives

• Describe the evolving role of molecular/genomic markers and tests in the management of patients with NSCLC
• Review recent advances in targeted therapies, combination therapies, and novel agents under investigation for the treatment of patients with NSCLC
• Outline the risks/benefits of current and emerging therapeutic options, based on the latest evidence-based data
• Formulate effective management strategies for improving outcomes using a personalized, patient-tailored treatment approach

Target Audience
This activity was developed for medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, oncology pharmacists, and oncology nurses.

Sponsors
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Cincinnati, Medical Learning Institute, Inc., and Center of Excellence Media, LLC. The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation
The University of Cincinnati designates this CME Internet Enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Registered Nurse Designation
Medical Learning Institute, Inc.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 15106, for 1.0 contact hour.

Registered Pharmacy Designation
Medical Learning Institute (MLI) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Completion of this activity provides for 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing education credit. The universal activity number for this activity is 0468-9999-11-082-H01-P.

Instructions for Credit
There is no fee for this activity. To receive credit, participants must listen & view this CME Internet Enduring activity in its entirety then complete the posttest and evaluation form online at www.mlicme.org/P11073.html and your certificate of credit will be provided immediately. Please retain a copy of the Certificate for your records.

For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact Medical Learning Institute at (609) 333-1693 or cgusack@mlicme.org.

Disclosures
Before the activity, all faculty will disclose the existence of any financial interest and/or relationship(s) they might have with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) to be discussed during their presentation(s): honoraria, expenses, grants, consulting roles, speakers’ bureau membership, stock ownership, or other special relationships. Presenters will inform participants of any off-label discussions. 

The associates of the University of Cincinnati, Medical Learning Institute, Inc., the accredited providers for this activity, and Center of Excellence Media, LLC, do not have any financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with any commercial interest related to the content of this CME/CE activity for any amount during the past 12 months.

Peer Reviewer Disclosures

• UC Peer Reviewer - Kay Weigand, Program Director, has nothing to disclose.
• MLI Peer Reviewer - Jayshree Shah, RN, APN-C, MSN, BSN, BS, is on the advisory board and speaker’s bureau for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Cephalon, and Novartis.
• MLI Peer Reviewer - Patricia Ensor, RPh, MBA, has disclosed that she has stock ownership in BioDelivery Sciences International and Human Genome Sciences.

Faculty Disclosures

• Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, is a Consultant to DiaTech, N of 1, SynDevRx, and TMD.
• Corey J. Langer, MD, has received Institutional Grant/Research Support from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, ImClone, Lilly, OSI, and Pfizer. He is Scientific Advisor to Abbott, Amgen, Ariad, AstraZeneca, Bayer/Onyx, Biodesix, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caris Dx, Celgene, Clarient, Genentech, ImClone, Lilly, Morphotek, Novartis, Pfizer, sanofi-aventis, and Synta. He is on the Speakers’ Bureau for Genentech, ImClone-BMS, Lilly, and OSI.

  Dr. Langer does intend to include non-FDA-approved uses, such as crizotinib.

Disclaimer
The information provided at this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

Recommendations for the use of particular therapeutic agents are based on the best available scientific evidence and current clinical guidelines. No bias toward or promotion for any agent discussed in this program should be inferred.