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Conference Details - Overview

Seventh International Symposium on Supportive Care in Oncology: Cancer Management in the Era of Targeted Agents

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
New York, NY
Feb 27-28, 2009

Conference Overview

Summary and Purpose

Over the past several years, advances in the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies have improved survival outcomes for patients with cancer. These new treatment paradigms often utilize novel biologic agents with unique class effects related to their mechanisms of action. It is imperative that oncology professionals involved in the day-to-day care of patients recognize those effects and incorporate complementary supportive care treatments to monitor, assess, and manage them, especially since these drugs are being used in earlier treatment phases for longer periods of time. Supportive care therapy can significantly influence patient outcome directly by ameliorating side effects and improving the ability to complete full courses of therapy to maximize the benefit.

The purpose of the Seventh International Symposium on Supportive Care in Oncology: Cancer Management in the Era of Targeted Agents is to educate medical oncologists, oncology physician assistants, oncology nurses, and pharmacists on the state-of-the-art options for supportive care required during the treatment of specific tumor types. All professionals involved in cancer care should be able to recognize the potential complications of a prescribed treatment regimen and attempt to prevent treatment-related adverse events with prophylactic measures, whenever possible, to improve patient compliance and survival outcomes. Participants will learn about not only improvements in the management of chemotherapy-induced conditions such as anemia, emesis, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal toxicities but also the management of targeted agent–related class effects such as skin rash and other cutaneous adverse events, cardiotoxicity, hypertension, and bleeding complications.

This symposium will assemble experts in their disciplines, including medical oncologists and registered oncology nurses, and offer an interactive learning environment. Participants will gain an increased knowledge of revolutionary supportive care options available for oncology patients.

Target Audience

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this symposium, you should be able to:

• Explain the monitoring and management of cutaneous adverse events associated with EGFR inhibitors and other multitargeted TKIs
• Discuss current trends and emerging issues under investigation for the management of chemotherapy-induced emesis
• Describe supportive care issues specific to patients with breast cancer and evaluate the options for monitoring and managing cardiotoxicity, bone-related events, and hot flashes
• Assess the efficacy of novel agents available for the management of gastrointestinal complications, including chemotherapy-induced and TKI-related emesis, diarrhea, and constipation
• Assess the efficacy of treatment strategies to minimize the adverse effects of cancer therapy on the neurologic system, including the monitoring and management of pain and peripheral neuropathy
• Evaluate current clinical data on erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to treat anemia and their side effects and impact on survival
• Define the role of emerging agents such as immunomodulatory molecules, histone deacetylase inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors in oncology and describe ways to manage the treatment-related adverse events associated with those agents
• Explain the monitoring and management of adverse events, including hypertension and thrombosis, associated with angiogenesis inhibitors based on an understanding of their mechanisms of action
• Evaluate novel agents for monitoring and treating hematologic adverse events such as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
• Discuss the role of prophylactic antibiotics and hematopoietic growth factors in the management of febrile neutropenia
• Identify practical means to communicate with patients regarding diagnosis and treatment of cancer and to assist in decision-making issues
• Summarize the role of complementary therapies in supportive cancer care

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