Interactive Case Studies - Overview

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A 68-Year-Old Man With Newly Diagnosed Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Release Date: November 20, 2008
Expiration Date: November 20, 2009

Interactive Case Study Overview

It is estimated that over 215,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2008, with 75% resultant deaths. Approximately 85% of all lung cancers in the US are non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), and nearly 70% of these patients have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Standard first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC includes multiple platinum- and non–platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimens, all of which have shown comparable efficacy; newer regimens are continuously being added to the repertoire of approved combinations. Agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways have been investigated in different clinical settings in advanced NSCLC. Some of these agents are approved as treatment for advanced NSCLC. An anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody in combination with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy has been approved for chemonaive patients, and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been approved for previously treated patients. The use of anti-EGFR antibodies in combination with frontline chemotherapy has also demonstrated a survival benefit over chemotherapy alone. Other strategies being evaluated as frontline treatment for advanced NSCLC include EGFR TKI monotherapy in clinically selected patient populations.

Patient and clinical characteristics also play an important role in selecting therapy; in recent years, the impact of tumor histology on clinical outcomes with different therapeutic combinations has begun to be appreciated.

The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on recent clinical data on chemotherapeutic and targeted agents in advanced NSCLC and to discuss strategies to optimize the choice and duration of first-line therapy in this disease setting.

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for medical oncologists involved in the care of patients with lung cancer. No specific skills or knowledge other than a basic training in oncology is required for successful participation in this activity.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Assess clinical data on EGFR-targeted agents in previously untreated advanced NSCLC
  • Evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining VEGF-targeted agents with frontline platinum-based chemotherapy doublets in advanced NSCLC
  • Discuss the significance of patient and clinical characteristics in selecting optimal chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of advanced NSCLC
  • Compare the adverse event profile of frontline platinum doublets in advanced NSCLC

Instructions for Participation

  1. Read the following information before beginning the educational activity.
  2. Complete the Pretest.
  3. Study the educational activity.
  4. Complete the CME test.
  5. Answer the evaluation questions.
  6. After successful completion of the CME test and evaluation, you will receive your certificate of credit online.

Successful completion is determined by a score of 67% or greater.

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

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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.

Giorgio Scagliotti, MD, PhD
Speaker’s Bureau – AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Pharmaceuticals

PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

This CME activity might include discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of drugs. If the activity includes discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of a drug, specific information is located on the title page. Please refer to the full prescribing information for each drug discussed in this newsletter for FDA-approved dosing, indications, and warnings.

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Illustrator: Pam Curry

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The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the authors 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 authors 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 publication, whether arising from negligence or otherwise howsoever or for any consequences arising therefrom.

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All correspondence should be directed to:
Editor, Interactive Case Study: A 68-Year-Old Man With Newly Diagnosed Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Physicians’ Education Resource
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Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367-3400
Fax: (214) 367-3304
E-mail: editor@pergrouplp.com

Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Bristol-Myers Squibb/
    ImClone Systems

Giorgio Scagliotti, MD
Head, Thoracic Oncology Unit
Department of Clinical and
  Biological Sciences
University of Torino
Orbassano, Italy