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Case Studies in Breast Cancer Vol. 6, No. 6

Release Date: November 12, 2008
Expiration Date: November 12, 2009

Publication Overview

Author

Edward Romond, MD

Overview and Purpose

Increased understanding of tumor biology has resulted in growing numbers of targeted agents for the treatment of breast cancer, with many agents demonstrating efficacy in advanced disease. As these agents begin to be utilized in the adjuvant setting, patient selection becomes increasingly crucial to optimize benefit/toxicity ratios. For patients with HER2+/node-positive early-stage disease, HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy is the standard of care and significantly improves disease outcome. However, investigation of the optimal chemotherapy regimen to pair with HER2-targeted therapy is ongoing, and selection of the optimal regimen might depend on patient and tumor characteristics affecting the risk of recurrence. Additionally, the risk of cardiotoxicity associated with these therapies must be carefully examined and balanced against potential benefits from a particular regimen because it could affect long-term quality of life. Taking these relative risks and benefits into consideration will allow optimal management of patients with HER2+ early-stage breast cancer.

The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on clinical data on the safety and efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy in patients with HER2+ early-stage breast cancer as well as considerations for treatment decision making.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for medical oncologists involved in the care of patients with breast 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:

  • Discuss the efficacy of HER2-targeted MoAb therapy in patients with HER2+ early-stage breast cancer
  • Evaluate the cardiac safety of HER2-targeted therapy in patients with HER2+ breast cancer
  • Assess the prognostic factors and considerations involved in treatment decision making in patients with HER2+ early-stage breast cancer

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:

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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.

Edward Romond, MD
Paid Consultant – Genentech, Inc.

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 online newsletter for FDA-approved dosing, indications, and warnings.

Commercial Support
An educational grant for this activity was provided by Genentech BioOncology.

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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 activity, whether arising from negligence or otherwise howsoever or for any consequences arising therefrom.

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©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, Case Studies in Breast Cancer
Physicians’ Education Resource
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Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367–3456
Fax: (214) 367–3304
E–mail: editor@pergrouplp.com

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Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Genentech BioOncology