CHAIR
Sergio A. Giralt, MD
Professor of Medicine and Deputy Chair
Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Division of Cancer Medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas
Houston, Texas
Bio

PRESENTERS
Steven M. Devine, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Director, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University School of Medicine
Columbus, Ohio
Bio

Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD, FACP
Professor of Hematology/Oncology, Medicine, and Pathology
Winship Cancer Institute
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia
Bio

This activity is sponsored by

This activity is supported by an educational grant from

Estimated time to complete activity: 2.0 hours | Release Date: June 8, 2009 | Expiration Date: June 7, 2010
This activity may be accessed at www.educationalconcepts.net.

A frequent approach to mobilizing stem cells for peripheral collection involves administering hematopoietic growth factors. Currently, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are used in the autologous setting, while G-CSF is predominately used in the allogeneic setting. Growth factors are generally administered for 4-6 days prior to cell collection to allow adequate time for CD34+ cell mobilization from bone marrow to peripheral circulation. Chemotherapy administration prior to growth factor is a common approach that may increase peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) 5-15-fold, but also introduces the risk of chemotherapy toxicity. In current clinical practice, patients who do not mobilize enough CD34+ cells for collection following multiple attempts at apheresis may require painful bone marrow harvest. Novel methods for obtaining the optimal dose of stem cells in the most efficient manner for transplant represent a significant medical need in autologous SCT. Furthermore, continuing clinical investigation in the allogeneic setting may demonstrate improved convenience for normal donors, and pharmacoeconomic analysis may indicate health-system cost savings. Healthcare professionals caring for patients requiring stem cell mobilization prior to SCT need to understand the basis for emerging therapeutic options, and the preclinical and clinical data supporting the development and integration of novel mobilization regimens into clinical practice. This live educational program will address optimal integration of emerging therapeutic strategies regarding stem cell mobilization, describe the means of optimizing stem cell mobilization while minimizing adverse events, and provide a perspective for directions in stem cell mobilization.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The target audience for the program includes stem cell transplant physicians, hematologists, hematologist-oncologists, medical oncologists, oncology specialty pharmacists, and allied healthcare professionals charged with the care of patients undergoing stem cell transplant.

FACULTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
All faculty participating in continuing education activities sponsored by Educational Concepts Group, LLC 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:

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.

Designation of Credit
Educational Concepts Group, LLC designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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.

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CE credit for this activity. During the period June 8, 2009 through June 7, 2010, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the pre- and post-activity case vignette.

CME CREDITS
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed evaluation and post-activity case vignette. Your statement of credit will be available on the Educational Concepts Group, LLC website, www.educationalconcepts.net.

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