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 uses one-on-one 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

• Critically evaluate the clinical implications of emerging clinical trial data in breast cancer treatment and incorporate these data into management strategies in the preventative, neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Counsel appropriately selected patients about the availability of ongoing clinical trials.
• Counsel postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer about the risks and benefits of adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and of switching to or sequencing aromatase inhibitors after tamoxifen, and counsel premenopausal women about the risks and benefits of adjuvant ovarian suppression alone or with other endocrine interventions.
• Describe and implement an algorithm for HER2 testing and treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Evaluate the emerging data on various adjuvant chemotherapy approaches, including dose-dense treatment, nonanthracycline-based regimens and the use of taxanes, and explain the absolute risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens to patients.
• Counsel appropriately selected patients with metastatic disease about the risks and benefits, selection and sequencing of endocrine therapy, single-agent and combination chemotherapy regimens.
• Evaluate the emerging data for biologic therapies and determine how these should be incorporated into the treatment algorithm for appropriate patients with metastatic disease.
• Describe the computerized risk models and genetic markers that provide prognostic and predictive information on the quantitative risk of breast cancer relapse and/or treatment response, and when applicable, utilize these to guide therapy decisions.

PURPOSE OF THIS ISSUE OF BREAST CANCER UPDATE

The purpose of Issue 6 of Breast Cancer Update is to support these global objectives by offering the perspectives of Drs Burstein, Gradishar, O’Shaughnessy, Schwartzberg and Sledge on the integration of emerging clinical research data into the management of breast cancer.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY

This CME activity contains both audio and print components. To receive credit, the participant should listen to the CDs, review the Internet content and complete the Post-test and Evaluation Form located at www.BreastCancerUpdate.com/CME. www.BreastCancerUpdate.com contains edited comments, clinical trial schemas, graphics and references that supplement the audio program, as well as links to relevant full-text articles, abstracts, trial information and other web resources.

This program is supported by education grants from Abraxis BioScience, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Genentech BioOncology, Genomic Health Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc and Sanofi-Aventis.

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EDITOR'S NOTE
Peto’s curse
Neil Love, MD
- Select publications

INTERVIEWS
George W Sledge Jr, MD
- Select publications

William J Gradishar, MD
- Select publications

Lee S Schwartzberg, MD
- Select publications

FACULTY TUMOR PANEL
- Select publications

Breast Cancer Update:
A CME Audio Series and Activity

Faculty Disclosures

Editor's Office