Statement of Need
An estimated 57,760 new cases of cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis will be diagnosed in the United States during 2009. Patient prognosis varies considerably according to the stage of disease at diagnosis. For patients who are diagnosed with local disease, 5-year survival rates reach almost 90%. However, because renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) remain clinically silent for much of their natural history, 30% of patients present with metastatic disease. Treatment for metastatic RCC (mRCC) has recently undergone a significant evolution. For over 15 years, cytokine therapies were the mainstay of first-line treatment for mRCC. However, recent clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of novel agents that inhibit key pathways involved in angiogenesis and tumor growth have demonstrated that many of these drugs prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS) for patients with mRCC compared with standard cytokine therapies. Four targeted agents have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with mRCC, and these agents have been integrated into standard frontline and second-line therapies. Because several of these targeted therapeutics are oral agents, many pharmacists dispense these medications and advise patients, physicians, and nurses on the best use of these drugs. Thus, the pharmacist has an important role in helping patients with RCC manage their disease and therefore pharmacists must be an accessible source of information for patients. To achieve this, they must be knowledgeable about the common adverse events and drug interactions associated with novel, targeted agents and provide information about targeted therapies to patients receiving them. This program will present participants with an overview of the pathophysiology of RCC as a backdrop to a detailed discussion of the mechanisms of action of the latest treatment options for patients with this disease, and the adverse events and drug interactions associated with these therapies.

Target Audience
This activity is intended for clinical pharmacists, hospital-based pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and other healthcare professionals interested in renal cell carcinoma.

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this application-based activity, participants will be able to

1. Evaluate the mechanisms of action and efficacies of novel targeted agents used to treat mRCC.
2. Describe adverse effects and potential drug interactions associated with antiangiogenic, targeted therapies for patients with mRCC.
3. Discuss adverse effects and drug interactions that may be encountered in patients with mRCC who receive agents targeting the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.

Method of Participation
This satellite symposium will use multiple methods of participation, including evidence-based presentations, an interactive question-and-answer session, use of the handheld Audience Response System (ARS), and panel discussions, to engage attendees and enhance the learning process.

Accreditation
Pharmacists: The CBCE™ (The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
CPE Credit: 2.0 contact hours or 0.200 CEUs
Universal Program Number: 0195-0000-09-022-L01-P

Statement of Credit
The Evaluation and Request for Credit Form must be completed and returned to the CBCE following this activity to obtain credit. Participants will receive their statement of credit 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 staff at the symposium registration desk.

Educational Inquiries
For further information, please contact the CBCE, 1707 Market Place Blvd., Suite 370, Irving, TX 75063; Phone: (214) 260-9024; Fax: (214) 260-0509; E-mail: info@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.