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From Signal Transduction to Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression in Oncology: Challenging Clinical Cases

Summaries of Lectures From a Satellite Symposium Held in Conjunction With the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Chicago, IL; May 30-June 3, 2008

This activity is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

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

Publication Overview

Authors

PER Editorial Staff; PER Editorial Staff

Overview and Purpose

An improved understanding of molecular cancer biology has made possible the development of rationally designed therapeutic agents. In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein has changed the natural history of this disease. Current studies are focusing on identifying therapeutic targets to overcome resistance to Bcr-Abl inhibitors. Challenges remain in the care of patients with CML, including selecting alternative treatments for those who respond poorly to initial therapy. Epigenetic approaches are a new strategy to reverse the oncogenic phenotype by influencing gene expression. Because histones are key regulators of DNA and gene expression, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have been explored, with efficacy demonstrated in patients with cutaneous lymphoma. In other solid tumors, such as lung and breast cancers, HDACIs are being investigated in combination with cytotoxic and/or targeted agents.

The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on advances in targeted therapy, including Bcr-Abl inhibitors and other novel approaches in CML and HDACIs in cutaneous lymphoma and other solid tumors.

Target Audience

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

  • Evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bcr-Abl TKIs in patients with chronic-phase CML
  • Summarize the key management issues associated with Bcr-Abl TKI therapy for patients with CML
  • Outline the advances made with HDACIs in hematologic malignancies
  • Discuss the rationale for combining HDACIs with cytotoxic and targeted agents in solid tumors

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.

PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

Satellite Faculty

George Blumenschein, Jr, MD
Research Funding – Amgen; Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Speaker’s Bureau – Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.

Michael Deininger, MD, PhD
Research Funding – Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Paid Consultant – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Speaker’s Bureau – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Owen O’Connor, MD, PhD
Research Funding – Allos Therapeutics, Inc.; Cytokinetics, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Speaker’s Bureau – Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Neil Shah, MD, PhD
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 Merck Oncology.

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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.

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Editor, From Signal Transduction to Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression in Oncology: Challenging Challenging Clinical Cases
Physicians’ Education Resource
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Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Merck Oncology