Program
• Drug resistance to tubulin-binding agents: Mechanisms and effects
• Targeting the microtubules
• Therapeutic strategies for taxane-refractory breast cancer
• Future applications of epothilones: An update
Target audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of oncologists and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with breast cancer and solid tumors.
Statement of need
Management of patients with drug-resistant breast cancer remains a clinical challenge; with the increasing use of taxanes in the adjuvant and metastatic settings, improved strategies for taxane pre-treated patients are essential. This program will provide the rationale for drug selection through a review of the mechanisms of action and resistance for beta-tubulin binding agents. An appreciation of these different mechanisms of action and the clinical activity of newer agents, such as the epothilones, is also essential for optimal patient management.
Educational objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:
- Review the evidence for epothilones in the management of metastatic breast cancer
- Identify tolerability issues associated with microtubule-targeting agents used in breast cancer management.
Disclosure of conflicts of interest
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) assesses conflict of interest with its instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of CME activities. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity, and patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.
Faculty disclosures
The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:
| Name of faculty or presenter | Reported financial relationship |
| Harold Burstein | None |
| Joyce O’Shaughnessy | Consulting Fees: Sanofi-Aventis; Fees for Non-CME: Abraxis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi-Aventis |
| Linda Vahdat | Fees for Non-CME: Berlex, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, Pfizer |
The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:
| Name of planner or manager | Reported financial relationship |
| John Gill, MSc, BSc (SCI) | None |
| Rachel Hutchings, PhD, BPharm (SCI) | Gilead |
| Trace Hutchison PharmD (PIM) | None |
| Linda Graham, RN, BSN, BA (PIM) | None |
| Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MA (PIM) | None |
Accreditation
Method of participation
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period April 1, 2009 through April 1, 2010, participants must: (1) Read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; (2) study the educational activity; (3) complete the post test by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the evaluation form; (4) complete the evaluation form; and (5) mail or fax the evaluation form with answer key to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed post test with a score of 70% or better. Your statement of credit will be mailed to you within 3 weeks.
Accreditation statement
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 Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Strategic Consultants International. PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit designation
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure of unlabeled use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Strategic Consultants International (SCI) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, SCI, and BMS. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.