This presentation was selected by the American Society of Clinical Oncology® as an independent educational activity held adjunct to the ASCO Annual Meeting. This presentation is not sponsored or endorsed by ASCO.

Overview and Purpose

There were no approved therapies for myelodysplastic syndromes prior to 2004, but recent advances reveal a number of newer options, including those that extend survival of patients with this disease. The New Therapeutic Options for Challenging Hematologic Diseases symposium will critically examine new data on several approved and investigational novel agents and address issues pertinent to the care of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or acute myeloid leukemia, such as the role of the International Prognostic Scoring System. Therapeutic options for benign hematologic disorders are also expanding, and the availability of a biologic therapy for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria might impact the natural history of this disease. Physicians who attend this program will be able to integrate novel therapies into clinical practice and anticipate the use of investigational therapies for appropriate patients.


Target Audience

This educational program is directed toward medical oncologists and hematologists. Fellows, oncology nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists interested in the treatment of cancer are also invited to attend.


Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this symposium, you should be able to:

  • Describe the natural history, supportive treatments, and diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
  • Compare the clinical value of the traditional International Prognostic Scoring System to cytogenetic analysis in prognostication and treatment decision making in myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Evaluate the activity of nucleoside analogues in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and compare the survival times yielded by those agents to those yielded by best supportive care or chemotherapy
  • Assess the impact of DNA-hypomethylating agents on transfusion dependence in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or acute myeloid leukemia
  • Describe novel therapeutic agents, including FTI, mTOR inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and signal transduction–targeted therapies, that are in clinical evaluation in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia
  • Evaluate histone deacetylase inhibitors that have activity either as single agents or combined with approved therapies in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of agents inhibiting the complement cascade in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, including effects on hemolysis, quality of life, thromboembolic complications, and transfusion dependence
  • Assess the impact of the formulation of DNA-hypomethylating agents on efficacy, feasibility, quality of life, and adverse effects in high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes


CME Accreditation and Credit Designation

Physicians: Physicians’ Education Resource is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physicians’ Education Resource designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts category 1 credit from AOACCME, Prescribed credit from AAFP, and AMA Category 1 CME credit for the PRA from organizations accredited by the ACCME.


Acknowledgement

Supported by educational grants from
Celgene
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.