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.ANG11GAST 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 claim only the 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: August 15, 2011
Date of expiration: August 14, 2012
Estimated Time To Complete: 1.5 Hours
CME Course Code: I.ANG11GAST
TARGET AUDIENCE
Practicing oncologists in the U.S., researchers and medical students
HEALTHCARE GAP
In the United States alone, more than 21,000 new cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed in 2010, and an estimated 10,570 died from this disease. In developing countries, the incidence of gastric cancer is much higher and is second only to gastric cancer in rates of mortality. Prognosis for gastric cancers is unfavorable when the disease has progressed to the unresectable stage. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are typically used in advanced disease, but are generally not curative at this point. There are currently no antiangiogenic therapies approved for gastric cancer. Preclinical studies, however, have demonstrated that angiogenesis is critical for the development and progression of gastric cancers. Gastric tumor cells produce an array of proangiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the best studied of these proteins. Further, infection with H. pylori, a significant gastric carcinogen, also upregulates angiogenesis in gastric cancer. A search on PubMed.gov found 690 articles published about gastric cancer and angiogenesis. There are currently 61 clinical trials of antiangiogenic agents for gastric cancer. At least 20 clinical trials of the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab (Avastin) have been conducted or are ongoing in gastric cancer. As the clinical investigation of antiangiogenic therapies for gastric cancer accelerates, there is a critical need to educate medical oncologists about these agents in anticipation of an eventual approval for this indication.
PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the role of tumor angiogenesis as both a disease mechanism and therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
- Explain how antiangiogenic therapies may be integrated into current treatment regimens.
- Discuss clinical efficacy and safety data from recent studies on antiangiogenic therapies for gastric cancer.
- Describe common safety concerns of antiangiogenic cancer therapy and their management.
- Explain strategies for addressing progressive disease, including the use of combination antiangiogenic treatment or new therapy targets under investigation.
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.ANG11GAST.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT
This activity is supported by educational grants from Genentech.
COURSE FACULTY
Manish A. Shah, M.D.
Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Weill Cornell Medical College/New York-Presbyterian Hospital
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.
Manish A. Shah, M.D.
Weill Cornell Medical College/New York-Presbyterian Hospital Faculty
Dr. Shah receives grant/research support from Sanofi-Aventis and is consultant for Genentech.
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®), sunitinib (Sutent®), ramucirumab (IMC-1121B), and telatinib.
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
Mechanisms of action of antiangiogenic therapies for advanced gastric cancer; latest safety and efficacy data on the use of antiangiogenic therapies for gastric cancer; management of side effects; information on ongoing clinical trials. Oncologists are incorporating targeted therapies into standard approved treatment regimens for their patients, and many are enrolling patients into clinical trials using targeted therapies. With dozens of targeted agents in advanced clinical trials for gastric cancer, it is essential that oncologist become aware of these agents, their appropriate use, how they may interact with other treatments, and how to recognize and manage side effects.
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.
|
