Introduction
The 15th European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) and 34th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress held September 20-24, 2009 in Berlin, Germany marked the first joint Congress endeavor between the two cancer organizations. The unified approach highlights how ECCO president Alexander M. M. Eggermont and ESMO president Jόse Baselga foresee the organizations will meet the increasing complexity of cancer challenges in the next decade. Highlights of newly reported data from the multidisciplinary meeting further disseminate scientific advancement, knowledge, and insight gained from this historic collaboration.
Featured Content
• ECCO 15th/34th ESMO Best Abstracts
• Insights Into Advanced Disease
• Improving Patient Outcomes in Early Disease
• Late Breaking Abstracts
Editors
Fatima Cardoso, MD, bio | David Miles, MD, MBBS, BSc, FRCP, bio
Media: Newsletter
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.5 hours |
Release date: November 4, 2009 | Expiration date: November 3, 2010
Statement of Need
The treatment of breast cancer has evolved rapidly as surgical and radiologic techniques have been refined and more active chemotherapeutic and biologic strategies are investigated and becoming available. A number of new agents have recently demonstrated promising benefits in both the early stage and advanced disease settings. In addition, research efforts now focus on exploring predictive and prognostic markers as well as exploring novel combinations and dosing schedules of new and existing agents in an effort to optimize patient outcomes.
Results from recently reported clinical trials have the potential to change the clinical practice of treating breast cancer. While great strides in our understanding of the disease have been made, many questions remain to be answered. In order for healthcare professionals caring for breast cancer patients to select the most appropriate treatment regimen, knowledge of the clinical data in addition to thorough understanding of the biology of disease, mechanisms of resistance, therapy options, and toxicity profiles is necessary. Recognizing the complexity of today’s treatment decisions, this program has been developed to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the treatment of breast cancer.
Target Audience
The target audience for the program includes medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, oncology pharmacy specialists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with breast cancer who are unable to attend the ECCO 15th and the 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational program, participants should be better able to:
- Incorporate clinical data describing new therapeutic agents or strategies into clinical practice to improve pathologic response rates in patients in the neoadjuvant therapy setting
- Discuss updated efficacy and toxicity data for adjuvant therapy options used in the early breast cancer setting
- Describe the strengths and weaknesses of significant clinical trials of agents designed to improve response and survival rates in the metastatic breast cancer setting
- Explain the implications of genetic analysis and biomarkers on treatment selection and response as they currently relate to patients with breast cancer
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ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
PHYSICIAN CONTINUING EDUCATION
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
Educational Concepts Group, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this educational 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.
PHARMACIST CONTINUING EDUCATION
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Educational Concepts Group, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. |
Type of Activity: Knowledge-based
Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) (UAN 199-000-09-046-H01-P).
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METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME/CE credit for this activity. During the period November 4, 2009 through November 3, 2010, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the post-test and activity evaluation form.
CME/CE CREDIT
Physicians and pharmacists who complete the post-test with a score of 70% or better may view and print their credit letter or statement of credit via the website, www.educationalconcepts.net.
DISCLOSURE OF OFF-LABEL USE
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. ECG does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of ECG. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
CME/CE INQUIRIES
For further information, please contact
Educational Concepts Group, LLC
1300 Parkwood Circle SE
Suite 325
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Phone: 1.770.933.1681
Fax: 1.770.933.1692
www.educationalconcepts.net
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMMERCIAL SUPPORT
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech BioOncology.
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FACULTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
All faculty participating in continuing education activities sponsored by ECG are expected to disclose to the audience any real or apparent commercial financial affiliations related to the content of their presentations/materials.
THE FOLLOWING FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE DECLARED RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Fatima Cardoso, MD
Grants/Research Support
Novartis, Pfizer Inc., Roche
Honorarium
AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eisai Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer Inc., Roche
David Miles, MD, MBBS, BSc, FRCP
Consultant Fees, Honorarium, Speakers’ Bureau
Roche
ECG HAS DECLARED THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
ECG receives educational grants from pharmaceutical industry and other commercial sources. Planners, managers, and other staff members at ECG have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
None of the contents may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. This activity may be accessed at www.educationalconcepts.net.
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.
Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product or consult the Physicians’ Desk Reference for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The editors wish to thank Maureen Haas, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, a paid employee of ECG, for assistance in writing this document.
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