HOW TO TAKE THE POST-TEST: To obtain CE credit, please click here to participate in this educational activity on myCME.com.
Release date: August 29, 2012
Continue Reading
Expiration date: August 29, 2013
Estimated time to complete this activity: 1 hour
STATEMENT OF NEED/PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Despite important advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over the last several years, effective treatment of advanced-stage disease remains challenging.1 Although best practices have been outlined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network2, clinicians are often unable to utilize the preferred agent or combination of agents due to advanced disease stage, advanced patient age, poor performance status, or a potential increased risk of drug-related toxicity.2 The development of screening strategies that allow for early diagnosis and comprehension of tumor biology will likely improve outcomes in these patients, as will utilization of investigational agents that are associated with positive patient response.2,3 Preliminary results appear promising, and researchers are hopeful that large strides will be made towards extended life in NSCLC patients over the next few years.
Sources/Citations:
1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2012. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-031941.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2012.
2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™. Version 3.2012. Available at: www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/nscl.pdf. Accessed June 9, 2012.
3. Eberhard DA, Johnson BE, Amler LC, et al. Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor and in KRAS are predictive and prognostic indicators in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy alone and in combination with erlotinib. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Sep 1;23(25):5900-5909.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After participating in this activity, clinicians should be better able to
• Perform diagnostic/molecular testing (EGFR, KRAS, EML4-ALK) for NSCLC according to current evidence-based guidelines
• Optimize individual therapy plans for patients based on diagnostic/molecular testing results.
• Incorporate data regarding novel therapeutic agents that can provide the most advanced treatment for patients when appropriate
• Provide appropriate care and counsel for patients and their families
PHYSICIAN CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
Accreditation statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and RMEI, LLC. The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medicaleducation for physicians.
Credit designation: The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
NURSING CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
Accreditation statement: The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Credit designation: This educational activity for 1.3 contact hour is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.
Participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosure, 2) study the educational activity, and 3) complete the post-test and evaluation on www.myCME.com. To obtain credit, a score of 70% or better is required.
Intended audience: This activity is designed for oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and oncology registered nurses involved in the care of patients with lung cancer.
Fee information: There is no fee for this educational activity.
Media: Monograph and Web site (myCME.com)
Jointly sponsored/co-provided by RMEI , LLC and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine
RMEI gratefully acknowledges an educational grant from Genentech in support of this CE activity.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) assesses conflict of interest with its instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of CE activities. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity, and patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality CE activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.
The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CE activity:
Daniel Morgensztern, MD, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CE activity:
RMEI, LLC
Emma Hitt, PhD, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine
Laura Excell, ND, NP, MS, MA, LPC, NCC , Trace Hutchison, PharmD, Samantha Mattiucci, PharmD, CC MEP, Jan Schultz, RN, MSN, CC MEP, and Patricia Staples, MSN, NP-C, CC RN, hereby state that they or their spouse/life partner do not have any financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with any commercial interest related to the content of this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. PIM, RMEI, LLC, and Genentech do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, RMEI, LLC, or Genentech. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.
HOW TO TAKE THE POST-TEST: To obtain CE credit, please click here to participate in this educational activity on myCME.com.
