Publication Details - Overview

This activity is part of PER's Integrated Oncology Learning Series: A Focus on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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Physicians' Education Resource designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Defining New Therapeutic Options for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Online Only Cancer Summaries & Commentaries Vol. 2, No. 2

This activity is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

Release Date: March 10, 2009
Expiration Date: March 10, 2010

Publication Overview

Authors

Medical writer: Aarati Ranganathan, PhD; Medical writer: Bing-e Xu, PhD; Medical writer: Marissa Shrader, PhD; Medical writer: Sabeeha Muneer, PhD; Reviewed by: Stephan Stilgenbauer, MD

Overview and Purpose

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent leukemia in the United States, with approximately 15,000 new cases diagnosed in 2008. Historically, purine analogues and/or alkylating agents have been the mainstays of treatment regimens for CLL. However, all patients will eventually relapse or develop refractory disease. The introduction of anti-CD20 and anti-CD52 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) has significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients with CLL. Recently, large randomized trials are confirming the superior benefit of incorporating an anti-CD20 antibody into purine analogue–based regimens compared to chemotherapy alone. Efforts are also under way to improve the therapeutic index of anti-CD52 antibodies by evaluating a subcutaneous route of administration. In addition, next-generation fully human anti-CD20 MoAbs that are active as single agents in refractory CLL have emerged.

The purpose of this activity is to apprise physicians of emerging strategies and agents for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory CLL.

This activity is part of PER's Integrated Oncology Learning Series: A Focus on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for medical oncologists and hematologists involved in the care of patients with CLL. 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 development of immunotherapy with MoAbs for CLL
  • Evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding an anti-CD20 antibody to standard chemotherapy regimens in CLL
  • Discuss the efficacy and safety of next-generation MoAbs targeting the CD20 antigen as salvage therapy for CLL
  • Discriminate among predictive and prognostic factors of overall survival for patients with refractory CLL treated with immunotherapy targeting CD52

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 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.

You will be permitted 2 attempts to successfully complete the Posttest.

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.

Stephan Stilgenbauer, MD
Research Funding – Amgen, Bayer HealthCare AG, GlaxoSmithKline, Mundipharma International Limited, Roche Pharmaceuticals
Paid Consultant – Bayer HealthCare AG, 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 online newsletter for FDA-approved dosing, indications, and warnings.

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

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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 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

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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.

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Editor, Defining New Therapeutic Options for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Physicians’ Education Resource
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Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. GlaxoSmithKline