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New Therapeutic Options for Challenging Hematologic Diseases

Release Date: October 17, 2008
Expiration Date: October 17, 2009

Publication Overview

Author

PER Editorial Staff

Overview and Purpose

Many advances have been made for patients with hematologic disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), but clinical challenges remain. Prognostic systems are helpful in making treatment decisions for patients with MDS; currently, the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and the World Health Organization Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS) are utilized, but key differences that might limit applicability exist between the 2 systems. Until recently, there were no approved therapies for patients with MDS; however, a number of options, including DNA hypomethylating agents and immunomodulatory agents, have been developed that extend survival of patients with this disease. Therapeutic advances for patients with MDS might also translate to patients with AML, including those aged ≥ 60 years. Therapeutic options for benign hematologic disorders are also expanding, and the availability of a biologic therapy for patients with PNH might have a favorable effect on the natural history of that disease.

The purpose of this activity is to apprise physicians of current and novel treatment options for patients with MDS, AML, and PNH.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for medical oncologists and hematologists involved in the care of patients with hematologic malignancies. 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:

  • Summarize the applicability of and the key differences between the IPSS and the WPSS for patients with MDS
  • Evaluate the safety and efficacy of immunomodulatory agents and DNA hypomethylating agents in MDS, particularly in higher-risk disease
  • Evaluate the efficacy of treatment options for patients aged ≥ 60 years with AML
  • Appraise clinical trials evaluating targeted therapy for the treatment of PNH

Instructions for Participation

  1. Read the following information before entering 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.
  • CME credit will be granted for only 1 form of participation, either online or via the printed publication.

Read all of the conditions in the Activity Terms box below. You must accept the 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.

Susan Barwick
Stock/Investment Holder – Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Other PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

Satellite Faculty

Alan List, MD
Research Funding – Celgene Corporation
Paid Consultant – Celgene Corporation, Pharmion Corporation
Speaker’s Bureau – Celgene Corporation, Pharmion Corporation
Board of Directors – Kanisa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Pharmion Corporation

Daniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhD
Speaker’s Bureau – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Celgene Corporation; Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pharmion Corporation

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD
Research Funding – Merck & Co., Inc.; Pharmion Corporation
Speaker’s Bureau – MGI PHARMA; Pharmion Corporation

Anita Hill, MBChB
Remuneration – Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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.

Commercial Support
An educational grant for this activity was provided by Celgene Corporation and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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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.

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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 2008 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, New Therapeutic Options for Challenging Hematologic Diseases
Physicians’ Education Resource
3500 Maple Ave.
Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367–3456
Fax: (214) 367–3304
E–mail: editor@pergrouplp.com

Download a Print Version of this Publication*

*Print format is for reference only

Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Celgene Corporation
    Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.