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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.

Toward Curing Myeloma: Recent Data and Updated Clinical Strategies

Release Date: March 10, 2009| Expiration Date: March 10, 2010
Mar 10, 2009, Expert Interviews

Lecture Overview

The 21st century has witnessed an upsurge in the development of novel targeted agents for multiple myeloma (MM). Proteasome inhibitors as treatment of relapsed/refractory disease were introduced into the clinic in 2003 and recently received approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the first-line treatment of patients with MM who are ineligible for transplantation. In 2006, immunomodulatory agents were approved by the FDA for the treatment of newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory disease; together, these 2 drug classes have provided a shift in the treatment paradigm for MM, with complete response rates approaching those previously attainable only with autologous stem cell transplantation. Current development of immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors includes evaluation of these drugs as part of novel combinations of conventional and/or newer chemotherapies. Studies have begun to investigate multiple-agent regimens that incorporate different classes of targeted drugs. Second-generation agents are emerging, and with increased understanding of the biology of MM, newer targeted-agent classes are being evaluated for synergistic antimyeloma activity.

The purpose of this activity is to inform physicians about cutting-edge developments in targeted agents for the management of patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory MM.

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

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

  • Assess the efficacy and safety of varying corticosteroid doses in combination with immunomodulatory agent–based induction therapy for newly diagnosed MM
  • Discuss clinical approaches to enhancing proteasome inhibition in MM
  • Describe the efficacy of combining immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors in relapsed/refractory MM

Instructions for Participation

  1. Read the following information before entering the educational activity.
  2. Complete the Pretest.
  3. View and study the Flash video presentations 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.
  7. Return to this activity to view a list of questions and scenarios from your peers. This part of the activity is not available for CME credit.
  8. Return April 7, 2009, to access the answers to the questions.
  • You will be permitted 2 attempts to successfully complete the Posttest.

Submit Your Questions/Scenarios and Be Part of the Expert Interview!

E-mail your specific clinical scenarios or questions on this topic to editor@cancerlearning.com with the subject title 8645, or fax them to (214) 367-3304 directed to 8645.

Return to this activity to view a list of questions and scenarios from your peers. Questions submitted by March 24, 2009, will be addressed in an on-demand online interview with an expert or answered directly by e-mail, as appropriate.

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.

Nikhil C. Munshi, MD
Paid Consultant – Celgene Corporation; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Speaker’s Bureau – Celgene Corporation; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Sagar Lonial, MD
Research Funding – Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Paid Consultant – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Celgene Corporation; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

This activity includes discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of drugs, including the use of lenalidomide/dexamethasone, bortezomib/thalidomide/dexamethasone, and thalidomide plus either bortezomib/melphalan/prednisone or bortezomib/prednisone in newly diagnosed MM and carfilzomib (PR-171), pomalidomide (CC-4047), and perifosine in relapsed/refractory MM.

Commercial Support

An educational grant for this activity was provided by Celgene Corporation.

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Disclaimer

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 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.

This activity is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the XII International Myeloma Workshop.

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©Copyright 2009 by Physicians’ Education Resource. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, without written permission from the publisher.

All correspondence should be directed to:
Editor, Toward Curing Myeloma: Recent Data and Updated Clinical Strategies
Physicians’ Education Resource
3500 Maple Ave.
Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367-3400
Fax: (214) 367-3304
E-mail: editor@cancerlearning.com

Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Celgene Corporation