Grand Rounds in Hematology: Volume 3, Issue 1

Release date: July 31, 2010
Expiration date: July 31, 2011
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.0 Hours
Expired

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of hematologists/oncologists involved in the care of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Statement of Need

Once thought of as distinct, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria are now believed to be linked by similar pathophysiologic pathways. There is still a deficit in understanding of the pathophisiology of the three distinct disease states. Much confusion and controversy exists in the treatment of MDS. There is a lack of consensus on what therapies to use in which patients, and what to expect in terms of realistic outcomes. Despite multiple product approval to treat MDS, questions remain about which therapy is best for which patient. Bone marrow transplantation is the only potentially curative therapy, however, BMT is a high-risk procedure, and its application in the past has been limited by the age and health of the patient. This activity will provide expert opinions on recent updates on treatment of patients with MDS based upon content presented at the recent hematology conferences.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Apply recent clinical trial results on current agents in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
• Discuss novel approaches for patients failing previous hypomethylating therapy
• Compare the mechanism of action of different investigational therapies for myelodysplastic syndromes
• Apply recent clinical trial results on current agents in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
• Discuss novel approaches for patients failing previous hypomethylating therapy

Program Agenda

A roundtable discussion by Drs. Roboz, Sekeres, and Steensma regarding data presented at a recent hematology conference.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Medical Education Resources (MER) and Carden Jennings Publishing Co., Ltd. MER is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Medical Education Resources designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Medical Education Resources insures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational programs. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies conflicts of interest with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Conflicts are resolved by MER to ensure that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CME activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not the business interest of a commercial interest.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships with commercial interests whose products or services may be mentioned in this CME activity:

The content managers reported the following financial relationships with commercial interests whose products or services may be mentioned in this CME activity:

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating in and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period July 31, 2010 through July 31, 2011, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures, 2) study the educational activity, 3) complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the evaluation form, 4) complete the evaluation form, and 5) mail or fax the evaluation form with answer key to Medical Education Resources.

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed posttest with a score of 70% or better. Statements of credit will be issued within 6 weeks.