Breast Cancer Update: A CME Audio Series and Activity

STATEMENT OF NEED/ TARGET AUDIENCE

Breast cancer is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in medical oncology. Published results from a plethora of ongoing clinical trials lead to the continuous emergence of new therapeutic agents and changes in the indications for existing treatments. In order to offer optimal patient care — including the option of clinical trial participation — the practicing medical oncologist must be well informed of these advances. To bridge the gap between research and patient care, Breast Cancer Update utilizes one-onone discussions with leading oncology investigators. By providing access to the latest research developments and expert perspectives, this CME program assists medical oncologists in the formulation of up-to-date clinical management strategies.

GLOBAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the clinical implications of emerging clinical trial data in breast cancer treatment.
• Describe and implement an algorithm for HER2 testing and treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
• Develop and explain a management strategy for women with ER-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Develop and explain a management strategy for women with ER-negative breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Counsel ER-positive postmenopausal patients about the risks and benefits of aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant setting.
• Evaluate the relevance of emerging data on dose-dense chemotherapy to patients.

Issue 3, 2003, of Breast Cancer Update consists of discussions with three research leaders on a variety of important topics including selection of single-agent versus combination chemotherapy in the metastatic setting, impact of the addition of carboplatin to trastuzumab plus paclitaxel, integration of the ATAC trial results into clinical practice and dose-dense chemotherapy.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR ISSUE 3

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Formulate a treatment plan for a postmenopausal woman with ER-positive breast cancer who develops asymptomatic metastatic disease while receiving adjuvant tamoxifen.
• Choose a first-line chemotherapeutic regimen for a woman with hormone refractory ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.
• Design a treatment plan for a woman with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who has not received any prior chemotherapy.
• Discuss the impact of dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy on patient care.
• Assess the results of the clinical trial comparing trastuzumab plus paclitaxel with or without carboplatin.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

NL Communications is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

NL Communications designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.25 category 1 credits towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

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