Introduction
The biennial International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) has been at the forefront of CLL research for the last 30 years. The first meeting was organized by Dr Jacque-Louis Binet in Paris with 9 other attendees. The importance of CLL as the most common adult leukemia and the important advances in treatment over the subsequent years have led to much greater interest in the disease. The 13th iwCLL meeting was held on October 15-18, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain with 1024 registered participants from 48 countries. The program included 246 abstracts and 34 oral presentations.
This newsletter highlights research presented at iwCLL that will be useful to the practicing hematologist/oncologist in the near future. This includes the clinical implications of pivotal clinical trials based on efficacy and toxicity parameters and results of early phase trials of novel agents and combinations.
Featured Content
• Treatment of relapsed/refractory CLL
• First-line treatment
• Stem cell transplantation (SCT)
• New agents with CLL activity in preclinical and phase I clinical studies
• Toxicity of therapy
Editors
Asher Chanan-Khan, MD, bio | Thomas J. Kipps, MD, PhD, bio
Media: Newsletter
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.5 hours |
Release date: November 18, 2009 | Expiration date: November 17, 2010
Statement of Need
A recent pilot study found that practice patterns of hematologists caring for CLL patients are highly variable. Despite significant research, optimal treatment strategies for newly diagnosed and for refractory CLL remain undefined. There are several regimens that exhibit activity, but most have not been compared to each other, making evidence-based selection a challenge and almost impossible to date. Fortunately, there are several ongoing phase III trials that are attempting to further define their place in therapy. The available treatment modalities do possess unique constellations of toxicities which must be appropriately anticipated, managed, and taken into consideration when selecting treatment for patients with CLL. Risk-stratification based on newly identified prognostic factors and the use of more sensitive techniques to determine response and MRD are critical in the design of all future clinical trials for CLL. This educational initiative will address these issues in the treatment of CLL through an interactive presentation format.
Target Audience
The target audience for the program includes hematologists, hematologist-oncologists, medical oncologists, oncology specialty pharmacists, and allied healthcare professionals charged with the care of patients with CLL.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational program, participants should be better able to:
- Discuss recent developments in biological markers of prognosis, including ß2M, FISH for 11q- and 17p-, VH mutation status, CD38, and ZAP-70
- Explain the role of survival cytokines and inhibitory cytokines in CLL biology
- Describe the potential role of novel treatment approaches in the management of CLL
- Discuss the clinical implications of the results of pivotal clinical trials, including early phase trials, that have potential to impact the use of novel therapies in CLL management
- Differentiate treatment regimens based upon efficacy and toxicity parameters
- Detail the design and results of early stage CLL trials, including analyses that identified subgroups associated with better or poorer outcomes
- Outline the design and current results of clinical trials with new agents for CLL alone or in combination with chemotherapy
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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. |
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Type of activity: Knowledge-based
Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) (UAN 199-000-09-043-H01-P). |
METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME/CE credit for this activity. During the period November 18, 2009 through November 17, 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.
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.
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
The editors wish to thank Lea Ann Hansen, PharmD, BCOP, a paid employee of ECG, for assistance in writing this document.
ACKNOWLEDGE OF COMMERCIAL SUPPORT
This activity is supported by educational grants from Celgene Corporation, Cephalon, Inc., and Genentech BioOncology and Biogen Idec.
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
Asher Chanan-Khan, MD
Consultant Fees/Honorarium/Speakers’ Bureau
Celgene Corporation, ImmunoGen, Inc., and
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Thomas J. Kipps, MD, PhD
Grants/Research Support
Abbott, ACGT, Biogen Idec, Celgene Corporation, Cephalon,
CLL Global Research Foundation, Genentech BioOncology, Genmab, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Memgen, LLC, NCI-NIH, Nodality, Inc.,
and sanofi-aventis Group
Honorarium
Physicians’ Education Resource
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.
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.
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