This activity is intended for gynecologic and medical oncologists, gynecologists and other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of gynecologic cancers.
OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITY
In 2015 it is anticipated that approximately 98,000 new cases of gynecologic cancer — which includes cancer of the ovaries, uterine corpus (endometrial cancer), uterine cervix (cervical cancer), vulva and vagina — will be documented in the United States and 30,000 individuals will succumb to these diseases. As with many other tumors, patient outcomes are critically dependent on effective multidisciplinary care. Despite many commonalities, each of these diseases is in fact quite distinct, and in this regard management algorithms employed for each are varied.
Existing and emerging multimodality treatment regimens used in the routine management of these diseases necessitate the physician’s working knowledge of novel surgical, radiation and systemic therapeutic techniques. Ongoing clinical trials will continue to refine the optimal management of these tumors, and the introduction of innovative, targeted compounds may offer individualized treatment options that provide increased efficacy and improved tolerability. In order to offer optimal patient care — including the option of clinical trial participation — clinicians who care for patients with gynecologic cancers must be well informed of these advances.
These video proceedings from a CME symposium held during the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s 2015 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer feature discussions with leading researchers with an expertise in gynecologic oncology regarding actual patient cases and related clinical research findings. By providing information on the latest research developments and their potential application to routine practice, this activity is designed to assist gynecologic oncologists and other healthcare providers with the formulation of up-to-date clinical management strategies for various gynecologic cancers.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Employ current clinical guidelines and available data in the selection of treatment options for patients with commonly diagnosed gynecologic cancers.
- Develop a treatment plan for advanced cervical cancer, incorporating recently approved and investigational agents, and understand and counsel patients about the risks of perforation and fistula associated with anti-angiogenic therapy.
- Consider clinical investigator perspectives regarding the indications for BRCA mutation testing, and use this information to appropriately select patients with ovarian cancer (OC) for this analysis.
- Develop an evidence-based algorithm for the initial and long-term treatment of advanced OC considering the role of the recently approved anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab.
- Understand the rationale for the investigation of PARP inhibitors in OC, and recall the results of studies with olaparib and other similar agents under development for patients with advanced disease.
- Appreciate the recent approval of olaparib for patients with highly refractory advanced OC, and integrate this agent into the clinical care of appropriate individuals.
- Develop an understanding of the emerging efficacy data and toxicity profiles of investigational agents in OC to effectively prioritize clinical trial opportunities for appropriate patients.
- Counsel appropriately selected patients with gynecologic cancers about participation in ongoing clinical trials.
- Develop strategies for managing complex psychosocial issues affecting patients with advanced cancers, incorporating palliative care specialists and identifying special needs, such as minor children of patients with cancer.
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 CME activity consists of a video component.
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:
Deborah K Armstrong, MD
Director, Breast and Ovarian
Surveillance Service
Professor of Oncology, Gynecology and Obstetrics
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Advisory Committee: Eisai Inc; Contracted Research: Astex Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Clovis Oncology, Eisai Inc, Genentech BioOncology, Incyte Corporation, MedImmune Inc, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc; Other Remunerated Activities: Abbott Laboratories, Sanofi.
Ursula A Matulonis, MD
Medical Director and Program Leader
Gynecologic Oncology Program
Associate Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts
Advisory Committee: Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc; Speakers Bureau: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Unpaid Consultant: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.
Bradley J Monk, MD
Professor and Director
Division of Gynecologic Oncology
Vice Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Arizona Cancer Center - Phoenix
Creighton University School of Medicine at
Dignity Health St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona
Consulting Agreements: Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Advaxis Inc, Cerulean Pharma Inc, Genentech BioOncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Gradalis Inc, Merck, Roche Laboratories Inc, TESARO Inc, Verastem Inc; Contracted Research: Amgen Inc, Array BioPharma Inc, Genentech BioOncology, Janssen Biotech Inc, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Lilly, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, TESARO Inc; Speakers Bureau: Genentech BioOncology, Roche Laboratories Inc.
Richard T Penson, MD, MRCP
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Clinical Director
Medical Gynecologic Oncology
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
Consulting Agreements: Advance Medical - Health Care Management Services, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Genentech BioOncology, Vascular Biogenics Ltd; Contracted Research: Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Eisai Inc, Endocyte Inc, ImClone Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, Vascular Biogenics Ltd.
MODERATOR — 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 Scientific and Medical Affairs Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Biodesix Inc, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Boston Biomedical Pharma Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Clovis Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Dendreon Corporation, Eisai Inc, Exelixis Inc, Foundation Medicine, Genentech BioOncology, Genomic Health Inc, Gilead Sciences Inc, Incyte Corporation, Janssen Biotech Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Lilly, Medivation Inc, Merck, Myriad Genetic Laboratories Inc, Nanostring Technologies, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novocure, Onyx 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 AbbVie Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Genentech BioOncology and Myriad Genetic Laboratories 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: July 2015
Expiration date: July 2016