The Emerging Trends in Oncology regional symposia are a series of 1-day seminars designed to present practicing medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; hematologists; nurses; and other clinicians with a synthesis of key data presented at the 2008 major national oncology conferences. This series has been designed to update physicians on recent advances and new treatment modalities in the management of breast cancer and gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, and thoracic malignancies as well as on notable novel agents. With the goal of being highly accessible to regional practicing physicians, these seminars will include didactic sessions and interactive case-based panel discussions from leading faculty who will offer their recommendations about the clinical challenges that practicing physicians face in their daily practice.

This educational program is directed toward medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; hematologists; and fellows practicing in the community or academic institutions. Nurses and other individuals interested in the treatment of cancer are also invited to attend.

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

Breast Cancer

• Discuss recent updates from adjuvant endocrine trials as well as related substudies
• Evaluate new data on taxane-based adjuvant chemotherapy regimens and discuss strategies for the optimization of adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer
• Assess the most recent data on HER2-targeted agents and angiogenesis inhibitors in the treatment of breast cancer
• Identify novel microtubule-targeted agents and other new cytotoxic agents or formulations under investigation in breast cancer

Gastrointestinal Malignancies

• Integrate the use of biologic agents, such as anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF agents, in combination with chemotherapy into the treatment of previously untreated or refractory metastatic colorectal cancer based on recommendations from analyzed clinical trial results
• Compare clinical data on oral compared to intravenous fluoropyrimidines, sequential compared to combination chemotherapy, and continuous compared to intermittent chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer
• Determine how to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma based on results from recent clinical trials of targeted biologic agents, such as multitargeted kinase inhibitors, anti-EGFR agents, and anti-VEGF agents
• Assess the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR therapies in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer based on current clinical trial data
• Evaluate current clinical data on targeted agents, such as anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR agents, in combination with various chemotherapeutic regimens in the treatment of gastric and esophageal cancers

Genitourinary Malignancies

• Assess the efficacy and safety of antiangiogenic agents, multitargeted kinase inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma
• Evaluate clinical data on platinum analogues, taxane-based regimens, and vaccines in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer
• Choose optimal treatment strategies for early-stage prostate cancer based on clinical evidence

Hematologic Malignancies

• Assess the optimal use of immunochemotherapy in the treatment of aggressive and indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Discuss advances in the management of patients with T-cell lymphoma
• Describe current data on proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and newer agents in the treatment of multiple myeloma
• Evaluate recent data on next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia
• Identify novel targeted agents in the treatment of acute and chronic leukemias and myelodysplasia

Lung Cancer

• Analyze recent data on cytotoxic and targeted approaches to lung cancer therapy
• Discuss the latest updates on personalized approaches for patients with lung cancer

Novel Agents

• Identify emerging agents in the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors
• Summarize the early clinical development of agents targeting signal transduction, the cell cycle, epigenetic regulation, and the tumor microenvironment
•  Discuss new diagnostic and therapeutic advances in less common malignancies, including melanoma, gynecologic cancers, sarcomas, and other neoplasms
  

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

All CME activities approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) are recognized by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME).