Hematologic oncology and related blood disorders are some of the most rapidly evolving fields in all of medicine. Results presented at major conferences from a plethora of ongoing clinical trials lead to the continual emergence of new therapeutic agents and changes in the indications for existing treatments. In order to offer optimal patient care, the practicing hematologist-oncologist must be well informed of these advances. To bridge the gap between research and patient care, this issue of Cancer Conference Update uses one-on-one discussions with hematologic oncology clinical investigators to provide perspectives on the integration of key data sets presented at the 2014 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting into the practical management of various hematologic cancers and related blood disorders.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Apply emerging clinical research data to the rational selection of treatment for patients with hematologic cancers.
- Appraise recent clinical trial data investigating the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Develop an understanding of emerging efficacy and side-effect data with novel agents and combination regimens under evaluation for indolent and aggressive B- and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
- Appreciate the recent FDA approvals of ibrutinib, idelalisib and obinutuzumab, and discern how these agents can be appropriately integrated into clinical practice for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other B-cell lymphomas.
- Compare and contrast the benefits and risks of approved first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors as therapeutic options for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.
- Recognize the potential role of novel agents and regimens in the management of newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- Evaluate recent clinical findings with the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib for patients with myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia in order to inform patients about protocol and nonprotocol options.
- Integrate recent clinical research findings with proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents into the development of individualized treatment approaches for patients with multiple myeloma.
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 CME activity contains an audio component. The participant should listen to the audio MP3s.
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.
Pharmaceuticals, an Amgen subsidiary, Pharmacyclics Inc, Prometheus Laboratories Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc, Sirtex Medical Ltd, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc, Taiho Oncology Inc, Takeda Oncology, Teva Oncology, Tokai Pharmaceuticals Inc 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 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Genentech BioOncology, Incyte Corporation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, an Amgen subsidiary and Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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: April 2015
Expiration date: April 2016