CBCE The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education
Upcoming Activities
Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on the Comanagement of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Key Concepts for Optimizing Patient Outcomes

A Local CME/CNE Speaker Program Series
2 CME 2 CNE
 
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Registration Disclaimer
 Space is limited. Your registration information will be evaluated against the intended target audience criteria, and additional information may be requested during this registration and target audience verification process. Your registration is not complete until you receive a confirmation.


Statement of Need
 Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, with approximately 3000 new diagnoses in the United States each year. Patients may present with abdominal symptoms, but as many as 21% of patients are asymptomatic and GIST is discovered incidentally. Diagnosis of GIST can be made based on the presence of a mutation in the receptor protein tyrosine kinase c-Kit or mutations in the alpha-type platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRA); over 90% of GISTs are positive for mutations in c-Kit, and 5% of GISTs are positive for mutations in PDGFRA. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment for patients with localized GIST. Treatment with the multikinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate, which targets both c-Kit and PDGFRA, has been shown to be highly effective in the adjuvant and metastatic settings, and its introduction into the therapeutic regimen for GIST has revolutionized molecular therapeutics, improving the 2-year survival of patients with metastatic disease to 80%. Clinical trials are under way to investigate the optimal regimen for patients with GIST, especially in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, and for those patients who become resistant to imatinib or who relapse. Clinical trials are also under way to identify and validate potential prognostic and/or predictive markers.

The diagnosis, staging, and management of patients with GIST requires the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists, surgical oncologists, and medical oncologists. Patient outcomes can be greatly impacted by the level of communication between these specialists during the course of treatment. This series of programs aims to identify gaps in communication between specialists who treat patients with GIST and promote awareness and discussion among these specialists in order to improve the care of patients with GIST. Participants of these programs will be able to identify symptoms that may aid in the diagnosis of GIST and prognostic and predictive factors that may aid in the management of patients with GIST; assess recent clinical data regarding therapies for patients with primary or metastatic disease; and determine the resectability of patients with all stages of GIST.


Target Audience
 This interactive program is intended for medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, surgical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals who treat patients with GIST.


Educational Objectives
 Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to
  1. Assess the efficacy of methods used to determine the malignant potential of GISTs.
  2. Summarize the clinical symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis of GIST in order to identify patients with suspected GIST.
  3. Evaluate the use of potential prognostic and predictive markers in determining treatment courses for patients with GIST.  
  4. Assess the safety and efficacy of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies for the treatment of patients with resectable or potentially resectable GIST.
  5. Compare and contrast recent clinical trials that evaluate the use of novel agents or regimens for the treatment of patients with metastatic GIST.  
  6. Classify patients with GIST based on their eligibility for resection for primary, locally advanced, or metastatic disease.   


Method of Participation
 This interactive discussion/presentation will use multiple methods of participation to engage attendees and enhance the learning process.


Accreditation
 Physicians: The CBCE™ (The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
   
The CBCE 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 this activity.

Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for Category 1 credit from AOACCME, Prescribed credit from AAFP, and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 2.0 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nurses: The CBCE™ (The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s COA.  

The CBCE designates this educational activity for 2.0 contact hours.

Accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s COA refers to recognition of educational activities and does not imply approval or endorsement of any product.


Certificate
 The Evaluation and Request for Credit Form must be completed and returned to the CBCE following this activity to obtain credit. Please fill in the faculty names and date of the activity on the evaluation form. Participants will receive their certificate 4-6 weeks after the CBCE receives their form.


Acknowledgement of Commercial Support
 The CBCE gratefully acknowledges the educational grant provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.


Americans with Disabilities Act
 The CBCE fully complies with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the rules and regulations thereof. If any participant in this educational activity is in need of support services, please notify the CBCE prior to the program.


Educational Inquiries
 For further information, please contact the CBCE, 1707 Market Place Blvd., Suite 370, Irving, TX 75063; Phone: (877) 263-6911; Fax: (972) 929-8263; E-mail: localcme@thecbce.com.

Disclaimer
 The content and views presented in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the CBCE or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. This material has been prepared based on a review of multiple sources of information but is not comprehensive. Participants are advised to critically appraise the information presented, and they are encouraged to consult the available literature on any product or device mentioned in this activity.
© 2012 The CBCE™. All rights reserved.