CE Disclosures and Faculty Information

• OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITY
  The pace of oncology drug development has accelerated in recent years to previously unmatched levels. Fueled by an increased understanding of the biologic underpinnings of tumor development and progression, clinical research platforms largely focused on evaluating the potential benefits of novel targeted therapeutics possessing unique mechanisms of action and safety profiles have led to improved outcomes in many large and rigorous clinical trials across many different cancers. The successes yielded by this rational approach to the design and evaluation of new therapies has in turn provided medical oncologists and patients with many additional and beneficial FDA-endorsed treatment options.
  
  Importantly, this influx of new agents brings with it an accompanying informational burden that is challenging community-based medical oncologists to stay up to date and informed. As such, additional strategies and resources are needed to help clinicians overcome the difficulties they are now facing as they attempt to learn about new therapies and appropriately employ them in the clinic. To bridge the gap between research and patient care, this CME activity uses the input of cancer experts to frame a relevant discussion of recent research advances and newly approved agents in noncolorectal gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This information will help medical oncologists formulate up-to-date clinical management strategies.
  
  LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Recognize the recent FDA approvals of ramucirumab and regorafenib, and identify clinical situations for which these agents may be appropriate therapeutic options.
  • Effectively counsel patients regarding the expected efficacy and tolerability of newly approved therapeutics for the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
  • Develop practical strategies to prevent and/or ameliorate the toxicities associated with these recently approved therapies.
  • Understand practical considerations in the use of these newly approved agents in order to ensure appropriate administration and patient safety.
  • Recall the design of ongoing research efforts attempting to further define the role of recently approved therapies, and counsel and/or consent appropriate patients with GI cancers regarding potential clinical trial participation.

  ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
  Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  
  CME credit is no longer available for this issue
  
  CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
  
  CME credit is no longer available for this issue
  
  HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY
  This activity contains a text component. The participant should read the text.
  
  CME credit is no longer available for this issue
  
  CONTENT VALIDATION AND DISCLOSURES
  Research To Practice (RTP) is committed to providing its participants with high-quality, unbiased and state-of-the-art education. We assess potential conflicts of interest with faculty, planners and managers of CME activities. Real or apparent conflicts of interest are identified and resolved through a conflict of interest resolution process. In addition, all activity content is reviewed by both a member of the RTP scientific staff and an external independent physician reviewer for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies referenced and patient care recommendations.
  
  FACULTY — The following faculty (and their spouses/partners) reported real or apparent conflicts of interest, which have been resolved through a conflict of interest resolution process:
  
  Jaffer A Ajani, MD
  Professor of Medicine
  Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
  The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  Houston, Texas
  
  Advisory Committee: Amgen Inc, Celgene Corporation, Lilly, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Consulting Agreement: Lilly; Contracted Research: Amgen Inc, Genentech BioOncology, Lilly, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Roche Laboratories Inc, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.
  
  George D Demetri, MD
  Director, Sarcoma Center
  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  Professor of Medicine
  Harvard Medical School
  Boston, Massachusetts
  
  Advisory Committee: Blueprint Medicines, Caris Diagnostics Inc, Champions Biotechnology UK Ltd, Kolltan Pharmaceuticals Inc, Western Institutional Review Board; Consulting Agreements: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint Medicines, Champions Biotechnology UK Ltd, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, EMD Serono Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, Kolltan Pharmaceuticals Inc, Lilly, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi; Contracted Research: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc; Stock Ownership: Blueprint Medicines, Champions Biotechnology UK Ltd, Kolltan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  
  EDITOR — Dr Love is president and CEO of Research To Practice, which receives funds in the form of educational grants to develop CME activities from the following commercial interests: AbbVie Inc, Amgen Inc, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Biodesix Inc, Biogen Idec, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Dendreon Corporation, Eisai Inc, Exelixis Inc, Genentech BioOncology, Genomic Health Inc, Gilead Sciences Inc, Incyte Corporation, Lilly, Medivation Inc, Merck, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novocure, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, an Amgen subsidiary, Pharmacyclics Inc, Prometheus Laboratories Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc, Teva Oncology and VisionGate Inc.
  
  RESEARCH TO PRACTICE STAFF AND EXTERNAL REVIEWERS — The scientific staff and reviewers for Research To Practice have no real or apparent conflicts of interest to disclose.
  
  This educational activity contains discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research To Practice does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings. The opinions expressed are those of the presenters and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantors.
  
  This activity is supported by educational grants from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Lilly.
  
  Hardware/Software Requirements:
  A high-speed Internet connection
  A monitor set to 1280 x 1024 pixels or more
  Internet Explorer 7 or later, Firefox 3.0 or later, Chrome, Safari 3.0 or later
  Adobe Flash Player 10.2 plug-in or later
  Adobe Acrobat Reader
  (Optional) Sound card and speakers for audio
  
  Last review date: December 2014

  Expiration date: December 2015