OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITY
Hematologic cancers include the lymphomas, the leukemias, multiple myeloma and other related disorders (eg, myelodysplastic syndromes [MDS] and myeloproliferative diseases) stemming from lymphoid and myeloid progenitor cell lines. Taken together, it is estimated that approximately 162,020 new lymphoid, myeloid and leukemic cancer cases will be identified in the United States in the year 2015 and 56,630 individuals will die from these diseases. Although an extensive list of treatment options is available for these patients, this poses a challenge to the practicing clinician who must maintain up-to-date knowledge of appropriate clinical management strategies across a vast spectrum of diseases. To address this issue, this CME program brings together leading clinical investigators to provide biologic insights into the recent therapeutic advances in the management of acute and chronic leukemias and MDS. By reviewing the available clinical trial data and relevant case scenarios, this initiative will provide perspectives on gaps in medical knowledge and illuminate treatment ambiguities pertinent to the treatment of these diseases.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Appraise recent data on therapeutic advances and changing practice standards in the management of select acute and chronic leukemias and MDS, and refine or validate existing treatment algorithms based on discussion of this information.
• Recognize evidence-based therapeutic options for patients with progressive chronic myeloid leukemia.
• Appreciate the FDA approvals of novel targeted agents indicated for the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and discern how these treatments can be appropriately integrated into clinical practice.
• Review existing and evolving clinical trial data to recommend safe therapeutic alternatives for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, including acute promyelocytic leukemia, and increase knowledge regarding investigational options designed for patients who are not candidates for intensive therapy.
• Apply the results of emerging clinical research to optimize treatment for young adult and adult patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
• Counsel patients with MDS about supportive and systemic treatment options to manage disease-related cytopenias and minimize leukemic progression.

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 contains an audio 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 — Dr Kantarjian has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to disclose. 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: Dr Brown — Advisory Committee: Celgene Corporation, Emergent BioSolutions Inc, Gilead Sciences Inc, Janssen Biotech Inc, MorphoSys, Pharmacyclics Inc, ProNAi Therapeutics Inc; Consulting Agreements: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Celgene Corporation, Emergent BioSolutions Inc, Genentech BioOncology, Gilead Sciences Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Biotech Inc, MorphoSys, Pharmacyclics Inc, ProNAi Therapeutics Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc. Dr Schiffer — Advisory Committee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Eisai Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Takeda Oncology; Consulting Agreement: Celgene Corporation; Contracted Research: Amgen Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Takeda Oncology; Research Support: MedImmune Inc; Other Remunerated Activities: Pfizer Inc, Takeda Oncology. Dr Smith — Advisory Committee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc. Dr Steensma — Advisory Committee: Amgen Inc, Celgene Corporation, Genoptix Inc. Dr Stock — Advisory Committee: Amgen Inc, Gilead Sciences Inc, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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, bioTheranostics 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, ImmunoGen Inc, Incyte Corporation, Janssen Biotech Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Lilly, Medivation Inc, Merck, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc, 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 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Celgene Corporation, Genentech BioOncology, Gilead Sciences Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Teva Oncology.

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: October 2015
Expiration date: October 2016