Gastroenterology

Circle of Experts: Strategies for
Improving Outcomes of Patients
with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

This CME activity has reached its termination date and no longer offers continuing education credit. Please note that expired CME activities may not contain the most up-to-date information available.

Click here to view our current activities in Gastroenterology.

Circle of Experts: Strategies for Improving Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Dear Colleague,

Currently approved treatments for chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are limited by low rates of sustained response, side effects, and in some cases, the emergence of drug resistance. Thus, new treatments, characterized by more potent antiviral effects, less toxicity, and minimal or no risk of resistance, are needed. During the last few years, several agents have been developed that have increased potency and reduced potential for resistance, including two recently FDA-approved agents for the treatment of HBV: entecavir and peginterferon alfa-2a. In addition to these, several novel anti-HBV agents recently evaluated in phase II clinical trials, such as tenofovir, clevudine, telbivudine, pradefovir, and valtorcitabine, appear to be promising agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

While this progress holds promise, the availability of numerous treatment options has given rise to the challenge to keep up-to-date on complex diagnostic and treatment strategies. This Tx Reporter will focus upon current and emerging treatments for chronic hepatitis B in order to help clinicians improve patient outcomes and minimize adverse events and the risk of developing resistance. In addition, treatment strategies appropriate for complex patient populations will also be discussed.

We hope you find this publication informative and that the content will be helpful to your clinical practice.

Sincerely,

CHAIR
Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP Professor of Internal Medicine Chief of Hepatology Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, Missouri

FACULTY
Gary L. Davis, MD Director, Division of Hepatology Baylor University Medical Center Medical Director, Liver Transplantation Baylor Regional Transplant Institute Dallas, Texas Robert P. Perrillo, MD Director, Academic Affairs Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, Louisiana	Marion Peters, MD Professor of Medicine Chief of Hepatology Research University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California Mario Rizzetto, MD Professor of Gastroenterology Department of Gastroenterology University of Torino Medical Center Torino, Italy

top

TARGET AUDIENCE

Gastroenterologists and hepatologists who care for patients with hepatitis B infection and patients who are at increased risk for acquiring the infection.

ACTIVITY GOAL

The goal of this CME/CE activity is to provide gastroenterologists and hepatologists who see patients with hepatitis B infection and patients who are at increased risk for acquiring the infection with state-of-the-art information on current and emerging therapies for the treatment of chronic HBV.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Given the epidemiology and natural history of chronic HBV infection, evaluate the differences between the three clinical phases of chronic HBV to determine potential patient morbidity and mortality.
Utilizing an understanding of the differences in HBV genotype, select treatment strategies to improve patient morbidity and mortality.
Using the AASLD treatment guidelines, evaluate current diagnostic and monitoring approaches in chronic HBV patients to determine the stage of disease and implications for treatment.
Utilizing the best predictors of HBV treatment response, evaluate the efficacy and safety of current and emerging therapies, and formulate treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and minimize adverse events.
Synthesizing the research and clinical knowledge to date, develop individualized treatment approaches for the "difficult-to-treat" chronic HBV patient to maximize patient outcomes.

top

CME INFORMATION

Statement of Accreditation

Projects In Knowledge is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Projects In Knowledge designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is planned and implemented as an independent CME activity in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies.

CME INFORMATION: Physician Assistants

This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 1 hour of AAPA Category 1 (Preapproved) CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Approval is valid for 1 year from the issue date of March 1, 2006. Participants may submit the self-assessment at any time during that period.

This program was planned in accordance with AAPA's CME Standards for Enduring Material Programs and for Commercial Support of Enduring Material Programs.

Successful completion of the self-assessment is required to earn Category 1 (Preapproved) CME credit. Successful completion is defined as a cumulative score of at least 70% correct.

CE INFORMATION: Nurses

This activity has been approved by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for 2.0 contact hours. Provider #00012705.

CME/CE INSTRUCTIONS

To obtain CME/CE credit for this activity, please:

Read this newsletter carefully.
Complete/submit the posttest and evaluation.
Instantly access and print out your certificate.

Contract for Mutual Responsibility in CME/CE
Projects In Knowledge has developed the contract to demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality professional education to clinicians, and to help clinicians set educational goals to challenge and enhance their learning experience.
For more information on the contract, click here.

top

DISCLOSURE INFORMATION

The Disclosure Policy of Projects In Knowledge requires that presenters comply with the Standards for Commercial Support. All faculty are required to disclose any personal interest or relationship they or their spouse/partner have with the supporters of this activity or any commercial interest that is discussed in their presentation. Any discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices will also be disclosed in the course materials.

For complete prescribing information on the products discussed during this CME/CE activity, please see your current Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR).

Gary L. Davis, MD, has received grant/research support from Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, SciClone Pharmaceuticals, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP, has received grant/research support from Gilead Sciences, Inc, Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; is a consultant for Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Chiron Corporation, and SciClone Pharmaceuticals; is on the speakers bureau of Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Schering-Plough Corporation; is a member of advisory boards for Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company, Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; and is a member of Data Safety Monitoring Board for Schering-Plough Corporation.

Robert P. Perrillo, MD, has received grant/research support from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; is a consultant for Gilead Sciences Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, and Roche Pharmaceuticals; is on the speakers bureau of GlaxoSmithKline; is a member of advisory boards for Gilead Sciences Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, and Roche Pharmaceuticals; and has received honoraria from Gilead Sciences Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Schering-Plough Corporation.

Marion Peters, MD, has received grant/research support from Gilead Sciences, Inc, and Roche Pharmaceuticals; is a consultant for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Roche Pharmaceuticals; is on the speakers bureau of Axcan Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Schering Corporation; and is on the advisory board of Roche Pharmaceuticals.

Mario Rizzetto, MD, is a member of advisory boards for Gilead Sciences Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Schering-Plough Corporation.

Peer Reviewer has disclosed no significant relationships.

Projects In Knowledge's staff members have no significant relationships to disclose.

This CME/CE activity will contain a discussion of the unlabeled/unapproved uses of alamifovir, clevudine, emtricitabine, rIFN, telbivudine, and tenofovir.

Conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by the Executive Committee of Projects In Knowledge. All conflicts are resolved prior to the beginning of the activity by the Trust In Knowledge peer review process.

The opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Projects In Knowledge.

This CME activity is provided by Projects In Knowledge solely as an educational service. Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the clinician caring for the patient.

This independent CME/CE activity is supported by an educational grant from
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

top

1740