Breast Cancer Panel: A Case-Based Discussion on the Use of Targeted Therapies for Primary and Metastatic Disease:

Recently, exciting clinical data on targeted therapies in breast cancer have been presented, and changes in clinical practice are beginning to occur. This live panel discussion will feature real cases of breast cancer patients from the practices of key opinion leader oncology physician and nurse panelists. A well known oncology nurse breast specialist will moderate the event, leading each case discussion from initial diagnosis to actual clinical course, including treatment choices, side effects experienced and their management, and patients’ concerns. Questions posed to the audience and panelists will facilitate discussions and reinforce learning objectives.

Oncology Highlights 2006: Targeted Therapy for the Treatment of Breast Cancer:

A recent key advancement in the treatment of breast cancer has been the use of therapies directed against specific molecular targets involved in the processes of tumor cell growth, proliferation, and invasion. Recent clinical trial data have emerged on targeted therapies in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer and the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive primary breast cancer. These data will be reviewed and discussed in this case-based symposium.

The Evolution of Targeted Therapies for the Treatment of Breast Cancer:

The past decade has witnessed major advances in the treatment of breast cancer as targeted therapies have been incorporated into standard chemotherapy regimens. In this educational symposium, the rationale for targeting specific molecular pathways in breast cancer treatment will be reviewed, and results of recent clinical trials evaluating targeted agents in the treatment metastatic and primary breast cancer will be presented. Appropriate nursing management of patients receiving these therapies will also be discussed.

Breast Cancer

Epothilone Chemotherapies for Metastatic Breast Cancer: What, When, and How?

Description
Epothilone chemotherapy has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In this regional CE dinner program, breast cancer nurse experts will address issues pertaining to the use of these agents in clinical practice. An overview of epothilones and their ability to overcome multidrug resistance will be described using 3-D video animation. There will also be a review of the mechanism of action of epothilone chemotherapy and a discussion of administration guidelines. The latter part of the presentation will focus on concerns specific to oncology nurses. Questions addressed will include: How do we safely administer epothilones? What side effects should we anticipate? How will we assess and manage these side effects? Program attendees will receive side-effect assessment and management clinical tools, as well as sample patient education materials, to utilize in their individual clinical practices.

Audio/Visual

Release Date: January 2009
Expiration Date: December 2009
Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 54 minutes
Credit Hours: 1.08

Program
Test/Evaluation
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Expert Discussion of Breast Cancer Nursing Practice Patterns: Adjuvant Therapies

Description
This program will be led by physician and nurse thought leaders, who will focus on the latest clinical trial data and symptom management guidelines for treating breast cancer patients with molecularly targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Audience response system data from recent IMER symposia indicate that nurses often lack comprehensive knowledge about the treatment options available for the different subtypes of breast cancer (ie, tumors classified by ER, PR, and HER2 status). We have used this information to craft a compelling program that directly addresses this need.

An internationally recognized breast cancer physician will present a detailed and up-to-date introduction to adjuvant treatment options and provide an overview of new research likely to affect clinical practice in 2009. This will be followed by an in-depth panel discussion of an IMER survey of nursing practice patterns for this patient population, sent to our database of 25,000 oncology nurses in the month preceding the program. The web-based survey will focus on how nurses assess and manage the toxicities associated with the various adjuvant chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal regimens, including cardiac toxicity, nausea/vomiting, bone complications, and menopausal symptoms. The survey results will be used as a starting point for a panel discussion of optimal nursing management strategies for the prophylaxis and treatment of these side effects.

Audio/Visual

Release Date: December 2008
Expiration Date: November 2009
Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 1 hour 37 minutes

Program
Test/Evaluation
Questions?

Biologic Therapies for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: An Introduction for Oncology Nurses

Description
Led by breast cancer physician and nurse thought leaders, this symposium will highlight the latest clinical trial data on molecularly targeted agents likely to affect nursing practice in 2009 and will describe the best practices for managing treatment-related side effects. The program will consist of sessions on each of the three major classes of biologic agents used in the treatment of early stage and metastatic breast cancer: human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 inhibitors, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, and dual kinase inhibitors. Following each thought leader presentation, time will be reserved for an interactive panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session. Attendees will not only receive an up-to-date introduction to biologic approaches to treating breast cancer, they will also come away with evidence-based side-effect assessment and treatment guidelines to incorporate into their routine nursing practices.

Audio/Visual

Release Date: November 2008
Expiration Date: October 2009
Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 1 hour 39 minutes
Credit Hours: 1.65

Program
Test/Evaluation
Questions?