Integrated Oncology Learning - Activity Details

  1. Read the Activity Overview
  2. Take the Pretest
  3. Take the Activity
  4. Take the Posttest/Evaluation
  5. View/Print CME Certificate

To begin this activity, read all of the conditions in the Activity Terms box at the bottom of this page, then click "I Accept the Terms."

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Continuing Education Information

Physicians' Education Resource is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physicians' Education Resource designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Online Grand Rounds:
Optimizing Endocrine Therapy and Side Effect Management for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Release Date: August 14, 2009
Expiration Date: August 14, 2010

Lecture Overview

Endocrine therapy has greatly improved outcome in patients with early-stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. However, the optimal strategy for using these hormone-targeted agents in the clinic remains controversial and is under active investigation. Topics recently addressed in reported trials include the up-front use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) compared to switching from a selective estrogen receptor modulator, the optimal duration of endocrine therapy, and the sequence of agents that provides maximum benefit to the patient. Because AIs are associated with a decrease in bone density and a consequent increase in the risk of fracture, a variety of bone-targeted agents, including bisphosphonates and a monoclonal antibody to the receptor activator of nuclear factor-кB ligand, are being evaluated for their potential to maintain or restore bone health in this setting. Emerging data also suggest a role for bisphosphonates in the prevention of metastases in patients with early-stage breast cancer, a subject that is the focus of several ongoing trials.

The purpose of this activity is to update physicians with the most recent information on the use of endocrine therapy in early-stage breast cancer and bone-targeted agents in the management of therapy-related bone complications and the prevention of metastases.

Presented by Physicians’ Education Resource in conjunction with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

This educational activity is directed toward medical oncologists and other specialists practicing in the community or in an academic setting who are interested in the treatment of breast cancer. Physicians involved in the long-term management of patients with cancer as well as fellows, oncology physician assistants, oncology nurses, research nurses, and others with an interest in the treatment of patients with breast cancer are also invited to participate.

Upon completion of this educational activity, you should be able to:

  • Compare alternative strategies for the use of AIs as adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer
  • Evaluate the efficacy of bone-targeted therapies, including bisphosphonates and novel agents, in patients with an increased risk of fractures who are receiving adjuvant AI therapy for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer
  • Discuss the utility of bisphosphonates for the prevention of metastases in patients with early-stage breast cancer

Instructions for Participation

  1. Read the following information before entering the educational activity.
  2. Complete the Pretest.
  3. View the Flash video presentation and slides.
  4. Complete the Posttest.
  5. Answer the evaluation questions.
  6. After completion of the Pretest and successful completion of the Posttest and evaluation, you will receive your certificate online.

You will be permitted 2 attempts to successfully complete the Posttest.

Complete the test(s) and evaluation by August 14, 2010 to receive your certificate online.

Read all of the conditions in the Activity Terms box below. You must accept the CME Activity Terms in order to continue:

Disclosure Policy

It is the policy of Physicians’ Education Resource to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. As an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Physicians’ Education Resource requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity, including spouses/partners, to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The ACCME defines “relevant financial relationships” as financial relationships in any amount occurring within the past 12 months that create a conflict of interest. Physicians’ Education Resource has implemented a mechanism to identify and resolve all conflicts of interest prior to the activity.

Steven T. Rosen, MD, FACP
Research Funding – Berlex Oncology, Celgene Corporation, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Paid Consultant – Abbott Laboratories; Allos Therapeutics, Inc.; Berlex Oncology; Biocryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Celgene Corporation; CT International; Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.; Genta Incorporated; Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Pharmion Corporation; Sigma-tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; SuperGen; THERAKOS, Inc.; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Speaker’s Bureau – Merck & Co., Inc.
Other Remuneration – Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Mary Cianfrocca, DO
Research Funding – GlaxoSmithKline
Paid Consultant – Genentech, Inc.
Speaker’s Bureau – Genentech, Inc.; Genomic Health, Inc.

PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

This CME activity includes discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of drugs, including the use of extended adjuvant tamoxifen, exemestane, anastrozole, clodronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid, and denosumab in early-stage breast cancer and anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane in male patients with metastatic breast cancer. Please refer to the full prescribing information for each drug discussed in this activity for FDA-approved dosing, indications, and warnings.

Commercial Support

Educational grants for this activity were provided by Genentech BioOncology and Novartis Oncology.

Software Requirements

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Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this learning activity are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor, supporter, or publisher. Although great care has been taken in compiling and checking the information given in this activity to ensure accuracy, the presenters and Physicians’ Education Resource and its servants or agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for the continued currency of the information or for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this activity, whether arising from negligence or otherwise howsoever or for any consequences arising therefrom.

Please consult full prescribing information for any drugs or procedures discussed within.

Privacy Policy

Physicians’ Education Resource (PER) makes reasonable efforts to ensure that privacy issues are handled responsibly. PER does not sell or share your information with other organizations that are not directly involved in this process. If you have further concerns, you may contact us at (888) 949-0045.

All rights reserved. No part of this activity may be translated, reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means or in any type of media form including electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, broadcasting, or otherwise without prior permission from the publisher.

©Copyright 2009 by Physicians’ Education Resource.

All correspondence should be directed to:
Editor, Optimizing Endocrine Therapy and Side Effect Management for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Physicians’ Education Resource
3500 Maple Ave.
Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367-3400
Fax: (214) 367-3304
E-mail: editor@cancerlearning.com

140-8640_04

Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Genentech BioOncology
  2. Novartis Oncology