This activity is sponsored by

This activity is supported by an educational grant from

Faculty

Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD – Chair Kelcie Margaret Kana Research Chair Professor and Chairman, Department of Leukemia The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas	Hartmut Döhner, MD Professor Department of Internal Medicine III University of Ulm Ulm, Germany	Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD, FACP Professor of Hematology/Oncology, Medicine, and Pathology Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, Georgia
Daniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Clinical Director, Adult Leukemia Program Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, Massachusetts	Gary J. Schiller, MD, FACP Professor, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Director, Hematological Malignancies/ Stem Cell Transplantation Unit David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine Los Angeles, California	Meir Wetzler, MD Professor of Medicine Chief, Leukemia Section Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, New York

Media: Webcast

Estimated time to complete activity: 3.5 hours | Release Date: December 18, 2009 | Expiration Date: December 17, 2010

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be better able to:

Discuss biologic pathways of significance in AML pathogenesis and resistance
Review the implications of AML karyotype on treatment selection and response to therapy
Compare and contrast the methods and results of studies available for the treatment of patients with AML with respect to efficacy and toxicity parameters
Review the indications, appropriate timing, and optimal preparative regimen for stem cell transplantation in patients with AML
Plan the optimal treatment approach and duration of therapy when given a series of patient case scenarios representing a range of prognostic markers and clinical presentations

Target Audience
The target audience for this educational initiative is medical oncologists, hematologists, hematologist-oncologists, pathologists, and allied healthcare professionals caring for patients with AML.

Statement of Need
The treatment of AML remains a challenge. Several genetic alterations and drug resistance mechanisms have been identified over the past several years, which further explain the heterogeneous nature of this disease with respect to treatment outcomes, but also provide us with endless opportunities for drug development. The inferior prognosis of elderly patients with AML is due, in part, to a higher frequency of poorer performance status, higher incidence of multi-drug resistance, higher percentage of unfavorable cytogenetics, higher incidence of treatment-related morbidity and mortality, and lower complete remission rates. Little progress has been made in the long-term survival of high-risk and elderly patients; however, several novel therapies are under development. In addition, 2009 looks to be a year in which we may see the first FDA drug approvals for elderly AML in 20 years. Determining which approach is most appropriate for a given patient requires an evaluation of patient-specific characteristics, physician expertise, and available health system resources. While difficult, these decisions require knowledge of current clinical and experimental data for the appropriate integration of novel therapeutics into clinical practice. Healthcare professionals need to understand the basis for therapies most commonly encountered, as well as the preclinical and clinical data supporting the development and integration of these therapies into clinical practice. Furthermore, the management of side effects related to the use of these novel treatment approaches will be important for their clinical success.

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 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PHARMACIST CONTINUING EDUCATION
	Educational Concepts Group, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 3.5 contact hours (0.35 CEUs). (UAN 0199-0000-09-014-H01-P).

Type of activity: Knowledge-based

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME/CE credit for this activity. During the period December 18, 2009 through December 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.

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:

Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD – Chair	Grants/Research Support	Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Eisai, Inc., Novartis
Daniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhD	Speakers’ Bureau	Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation, Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novartis
Hartmut Döhner, MD	Consultant Fees	Celgene Corporation
Gary J. Schiller, MD, FACP	Grants/Research Support	Celgene Corporation, Genzyme Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, MGI PHARMA, Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc., Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD, FACP	Consultant Fees Grants/Research Support	Amgen, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, Hospira Inc., Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. Amgen, Inc., Genzyme, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.
Meir Wetzler, MD	Grants/Research Support Speakers’ Bureau	Genzyme Corporation Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novartis

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMMERCIAL SUPPORT
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genzyme Corporation.

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.

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

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.