This activity is no longer available for credit, however its content is still (may still be) relevant for your educational needs.

Valid: July 15th, 2012 - July 16th, 2013

Program Description

Symptomatic burden in myelofibrosis (MF) is severe and can highly compromise quality of life. Many patients require assistance for activities of daily living or disability. Most importantly, symptomatic patients probably have a lower survival than those who are asymptomatic. The presence of debilitating constitutional symptoms, such as fatigue, bone pain, fever, pruritus, night sweats, weight loss, and cachexia, is included as a negative predictor of survival in both the IPSS and the DIPSS prognostic scoring systems. For patients with MF, progressive splenomegaly, hepatomegaly with liver failure, portal hypertension, gastrointestinal bleeding, pulmonary hypertension, infections, and malnutrition are the major complications that lead to significantly diminished quality-of-life and lower life-expectancy. Management of these complications and symptoms can be difficult and invasive and may place a tremendous burden on the healthcare system. 

Emerging therapies are changing the pathway of treatment for patients with MF. This activity will provide attendees with an in-depth understanding of the treatment strategies for patients with MF.

Learning Objectives

• Assess clinical data demonstrating that emerging therapies provide significant and durable relief for patients with MF in terms of decreased splenomegaly and improved symptoms, and the benefit this provides for improving quality-of life
• Identify patient- and disease-associated prognostic factors that may impact the choice of management strategy for the treatment of patients with MF
• Evaluate the healthcare value proposition associated with emerging therapies and evolving treatment strategies for MF

Target Audience
This activity is developed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and managed care professionals who are involved in the care of patients with myelofibrosis.

Physician Accreditation
The Medical Learning Institute, Inc. (MLI) designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 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 the Medical Learning Institute, Inc. and Center of Excellence Media, LLC. The Medical Learning Institute, Inc. is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Registered Nurse Designation
Medical Learning Institute, Inc.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 15106, for 1.5 contact hours.

Registered Pharmacy Designation
Medical Learning Institute (MLI) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  Completion of this activity provides for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) of continuing education credit. 

The Universal Activity Number for this activity is 0468-9999-12-022-H01-P.

Disclosures
The information provided at this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. Recommendations for the use of particular therapeutic agents are based on the best available scientific evidence and current clinical guidelines. No bias towards or promotion for any agent-discussed in this program should be inferred.

Planners' and Managers' Disclosures
Puthugramam Natrajan, MD, FACOG, CCD disclosed that he is on the Speakers Bureau of Warner Chilcott
Lorrie McSherry, RN, BSN, OCN disclosed that she is on the advisory Board of Onyx
Nancy Nesser, JD, PharmD has nothing to disclose

Faculty Disclosures
Gary M. Owens, MD, discloses that he is a consultant for Eli Lilly, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, OncoMed, Allergan, Eyetech, and Johnson & Johnson. He also is on the advisory board or does market research for Amgen, Pfizer, and Centocor Ortho Biotech. He does not intend to discuss non-FDA-approved drugs or investigational use of any product/device.
Alfonso Quintas-Cardama, MD, discloses that he is a consultant for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Novartis. He does intend to discuss non-FDA-approved or investigational use for several JAK2 inhibitors not yet FDA approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis as well as other compounds, such as lenalidomide, interferon, histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Atheer A. Kaddis, PharmD, has nothing to disclose. He does not intend to discuss non-FDA-approved drugs or investigational use of any product/device.

Disclaimer
The information provided at this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. Recommendations for the use of particular therapeutic agents are based on the best available scientific evidence and current clinical guidelines. No bias towards or promotion for any agent-discussed in this program should be inferred.