To receive CME credit for this program:
- Read the CME information and mark the checkbox confirming you have read the disclosures to download the PDF file below
- Review the article and illustration
- Login or register at the CME post test website (http://www.bucmetest.com)
- Locate the course code I.ANG11CARD and take the test
Jointly sponsored by Boston University School of Medicine and the Angiogenesis Foundation
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This CME activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through Joint Sponsorship of Boston University School of Medicine and the Angiogenesis Foundation. Boston University School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CREDIT DESIGNATION
Boston University School of Medicine designates this Internet activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Credit will be awarded provided this activity is used and completed according to instructions and a score of 70% or better is achieved. A certificate of credit will be issued to those who successfully complete the examination.
RELEASE AND EXPIRATION
Date of original release: May 31, 2011
Date of expiration: May 30, 2012
Estimated Time To Complete: 1.5 Hours
CME Course Code: I.ANG11CARD
TARGET AUDIENCE
Practicing oncologists in the U.S., researchers and medical students
HEALTHCARE GAP
Antiangiogenic therapy represents a relatively new approach to cancer treatment. Although antiangiogenic agents are generally well tolerated relative to cytotoxic chemotherapy, they are accompanied by a number of important side effects that require careful monitoring and clinical management. Cardiovascular adverse effects are among the most prominent toxicities of angiogenesis inhibitors. Common CV toxicities with these agents include arterial hypertension, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), prolonged QT interval, and congestive heart failure. Oncologists, who are more accustomed to the traditional side effects of chemotherapy, may be unaware of these adverse effects, may not know how to manage them properly, or be reluctant to consult with a cardiovascular specialist. Ultimately, if not promptly and appropriately managed, CV side effects of antiangiogenic agents can result in treatment disruption, discontinuation or even death of the patient.
There are a number of important recognized cardiovascular adverse effects of anti-VEGF therapy. However, information on the etiology of VEGF-related CV toxicity is incomplete and management of these conditions varies widely. Guidelines for the management of CV side effects from antiangiogenic therapy are not well defined. Additionally, the development and severity of CV toxicities in cancer patients treated with antiangiogenic agents may be influenced a number of factors, including genetic predisposition, of pre-existing conditions, and prior or concurrent chemotherapy. Further complicating the picture, clinical trials of cancer drugs often exclude patients with pre-existing or co-morbid CV conditions, which may show up in clinical practice until after the drug has been approved. Finally, some CV side effects may not show up during the short duration of clinical trials, whereas actual treatment with antiangiogenic agents may go on for years.
PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this educational activity, clinicians will be able to:
- Recognize and describe the most common class-based cardiovascular tolerability issues and physiological mechanisms of angiogenesis inhibitors.
- Differentiate among commonly used antiangiogenic cancer therapies, based on CV tolerability.
- Identify and discuss the clinical implications of cardiovascular side effects for cancer therapy.
- Discuss relevant safety data regarding cardiovascular tolerability issues from phase 2/3 trials involving antiangiogenic cancer therapies.
- Recognize important quality-of-life issues of patients undergoing antiangiogenic therapy and how these issues can impact clinical care.
METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating in and receiving credit for this online educational activity. The participant should, in order, read the objectives and faculty disclosures, review the educational content, answer the multiple-choice post-test and complete the evaluation. This program is available in PDF format accessible from the Angiogenesis Foundation's website (http://www.angio.org) in the CME section. A print version is also available; for more information contact outreach@angio.org. After reviewing the material, CME credits are available through the Boston University School of Medicine's website (http://www.bucmetest.com) by selecting the name of the program (registration required). Course code: I.ANG11OVA.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech.
COURSE FACULTY
Daniel J. Lenihan, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Director, Clinical Research Program
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
DISCLOSURE
Boston University School of Medicine asks all individuals involved in the development and presentation of Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities to disclose all relationships with commercial interests. This information is disclosed to CME activity participants. Boston University School of Medicine has procedures to resolve apparent conflicts of interest. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any unapproved use of pharmaceuticals and devices is being discussed.
Daniel Lenihan, M.D., Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Faculty
Dr. Lenihan receives grant/research support from Acorda, Inc. and is consultant for Astra-Zeneca.
William W. Li, M.D.,
President, the Angiogenesis Foundation, Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Li has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial interests.
Vickie R. Driver, DPM, M.S., FACFAS, Associate Professor of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine
Course Director
Dr. Driver receives grant/research support from KCI, sanofi-aventis, 3M, and Baxter. She serves on the Scientific Steering Committee for sanofi-aventis.
Jody Walker, M.S.
BUSM CME Program Manager
BUSM CME Program Manager has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial interests.
Roderick A. Smith, M.S.
Medical Writer, Program Manager, the Angiogenesis Foundation
Medical Writer, Program Manager has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial interests.
DISCUSSION OF UNLABELLED USE
This CME activity contains discussion of published and/or investigational use of: bevacizumab (Avastin®), sorafenib (Nexavar®), and sunitinib (Sutent®).
PRIVACY POLICY
The Office of Continuing Medical Education adheres to Boston University’s Conditions of Use and Policy on Computing Ethics. <http://www.bu.edu/cme/policies/privacy_policy.html>
Data gathered from participants who participate in Boston University School of Medicine’s (BUSM) Continuing Medical Education Internet-Based CME program is confidential.
Individual identifiable information is not shared with outside parties. Cumulative data may be analyzed by CME personnel, and, upon occasion, by individuals external to BUSM CME in order to determine trends.
THESE MATERIALS AND ALL OTHER MATERIALS PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED SOLEY FOR PURPOSES OF SUPPLEMENTING CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. ANYONE USING THE MATERIALS ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR THEIR APPROPRIATE USE. TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT WILL TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT SHOULD THE INFORMATION IN THE MATERIALS BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL CARE.
TOPICS AND EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
Cardiovascular side effects of antiangiogenic cancer therapy:
- Hypertension
- LVEF decline and heart failure
- Thrombosis
- Bleeding
- Conclusions and future directions
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
This educational program is available in PDF format. To view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. Most computers already have this software installed. If yours does not, you can download Adobe Reader free from the Adobe Web site: http://www.adobe.com.
If you have questions regarding certificates, please contact BUSM CME by email at cme@bu.edu or visit http://www.bu.edu/cme
For questions about this program, please contact the Angiogenesis Foundation at 617-401-2779 or outreach@angio.org.
Copyright 2011 by the Angiogenesis Foundation. All rights reserved.
|
