Program Description & Educational Objectives

In this activity, two experts in HCC discuss the optimal use of novel molecularly targeted agents in the treatment of these tumors. Specifically, they describe the efficacy and safety profiles of these therapies alone and as part of combinations, and use realistic patient scenarios to debate how to best manage key adverse effects to ensure that patients obtain maximal benefit from treatment and maintain their quality of life.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the key adverse effects associated with modern targeted therapeutics alone and as part of combination regimens in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
• Make appropriate treatment decisions for patients with HCC considering the risks and benefits of available therapies, as well as other patient- or disease-related factors of significance
• Educate patients about the potential toxicities associated with new targeted therapies for HCC and how these toxicities may impact their quality of life and treatment outcome, and involve the patients in monitoring and management of these toxicities
• Identify, monitor, and effectively manage treatment-associated adverse effects in patients with HCC to optimize treatment intensity and thereby treatment outcome, as well as the quality of life of these patients

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of oncologists, hepatologists, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, and other clinicians involved in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Requirements for Successful Completion

In order to receive credit, participants must view the activity and complete the post-test and evaluation form. There are no pre-requisites and there is no fee to participate in this activity or to receive CME/CNE/CPE credit. Statements of Credit are awarded upon successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form.

Media: Internet
Release and Expiration Dates: June 30, 2010 - June 29, 2011
Time to Complete: 30 minutes

Faculty & Disclosure

Course Director and Moderator

Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, MD
Assistant Attending Physician
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
New York, New York

Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, MD, has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:

Grant/Research Support from Amgen Inc.; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.; AstraZeneca (KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Limited); Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Chugai Pharma USA, LLC; ImClone Systems Incorporated; and sanofi-aventis.

Advisory Board for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Celsion Corporation; Chugai Pharma USA, LLC; Clovis Oncology, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; ImClone Systems Incorporated; Jennerex Biotherapeutics, Inc.; MediGene AG; Merck & Co., Inc.; Novartis Oncology; OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Polaris Group; Proacta Inc.; Roche Laboratories Inc.; and sanofi-aventis.

Interviewee

Alan P. Venook, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Division of Medical Oncology
UCSF Medical Center
San Francisco, California

Alan P. Venook, MD, has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:

Consultant for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Genentech, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and Pfizer Inc.

Content Director

Kadrin Wilfong, MD
PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, Inc.

Kadrin Wilfong, MD, currently has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.

All additional planning committee members, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, Inc. staff, and Purdue University School of Pharmacy staff have no relationships to disclose.

Sponsorship, Credit & Support

Physicians

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Purdue University School of Pharmacy and PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education. Purdue University School of Pharmacy, an equal access/equal opportunity institution, is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Purdue University School of Pharmacy designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses

Purdue University Continuing Nursing Education is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Indiana State Nurses Association. ISNA is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Code #CNEP-09-49.

This program has been approved for 0.5 contact hour(s).

Note: Not all state nursing boards will accept programs less than 1.0 hour in length for credit. Please click here to find out the status of your state.

Pharmacists

Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This is a knowledge-based, continuing education activity of Purdue University, an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Universal Program Number (UPN): 0018-9999-10-126-H01-P, 0.5 contact hours (0.05 CEUs).

This activity is supported by an educational grant from