Welcome to part 2 of the 5-part case-based series.
New Currents in Treatment of Bone Metastases: A Case-Based Approach
This Tx Reporter series discusses the use of bisphosphonates to help prevent skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors.
This second issue includes the case of a 78-year-old woman who develops breast cancer that metastasizes to bone. This continuing professional education activity also includes the audio CD/webcast, in which Dr. Lipton discusses:
- Factors that contribute to bone loss in breast cancer patients
- Use of bone mineral density testing to evaluate bone loss, and imaging to detect bone metastases
- Prognosis of patients with breast cancer metastases to bone, including survival and risk of skeletal complications
- Mechanisms of bisphosphonates in preventing skeletal complications in breast cancer patients
- Efficacy and safety of various bisphosphonates in breast cancer patients with bone metastases
- Studies on adjuvant use of bisphosphonates to prevent bone metastases in breast cancer patients
Dear Colleague:
Bone is the most common site of metastasis in patients with breast cancer. An estimated 211,300 women will develop breast cancer in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society. About half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer develop bone metastases. Skeletal complications of bone metastases are common and can substantially erode the patient’s quality of life. Part 2 of New Currents in Treatment of Bone Metastases: A Case-Based Approach uses the case of a typical patient with breast cancer and bone metastases to evaluate the best approach to preventing skeletal complications.
This 5-part series opened with an overview of bone metastases and bisphosphonates (Part 1), and continues here with the first of four case-based discussions (Parts 2–5) of the use of bisphosphonates in treating skeletal complications of breast, lung, prostate, and renal cancers. This allows an in-depth look at specific patient populations and provides information on applying the data on bisphosphonates to actual clinical practice.
Each issue in this 5-part series consists of a Tx Reporter newsletter, an audio CD featuring an interview with expert faculty on related issues, and a recent reprint with information that has largely determined the current standard of care. These issues focus on the next generation of bisphosphonate therapy. However, fair balance is critical to this discussion, and the faculty and I also present data on other bisphosphonates.
I hope that you enjoy the series and find it helpful and informative.
Yours truly,
James R. Berenson, MD
Chair
Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Cancer Therapies
Los Angeles, California |
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Allan Lipton, MD
Professor of Medicine/Oncology
Penn State University
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania |
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Target Audience
This activity is designed for oncologists and oncologic healthcare professionals who treat patients with bone metastases.
Activity Goal
The goal of this activity is to provide an overview of bone metastases and the latest developments in preventing related skeletal complications using bisphosphonate therapies.
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be able to:
- Review the incidence of bone metastases among patients with metastatic cancer, including multiple myeloma, breast, prostate, lung, kidney, thyroid, and other solid tumors.
- Describe the complications caused by bone metastases in the clinical management of various solid tumors.
- Examine the mechanisms of action of bisphosphonates and their role in improving bone strength and inhibiting malignant cell function.
- Discuss the safety and efficacy of currently available agents and next generation bisphosphonates.
- Consider the use of intravenous therapy in the treatment armamentarium to delay and reduce skeletal complications of bone metastases in patients with multiple myeloma, breast, prostate, lung, kidney, thyroid, and other solid tumors.
- Describe appropriate techniques for administration of intravenous bisphosphonates.
- Improve quality of life for patients with bone metastases.
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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 1 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.
To receive documentation of your participation in this newsletter/CD activity, you must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the posttest. Full instructions for submission are included on the posttest.
CPE Information
Projects In Knowledge is accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the ACPE Criteria for Quality and Interpretive Guidelines. The ACPE Universal Program Number assigned to this program, for 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU), is 052-000-03-054-H01.
CE Information
The National Center for Advanced Medical Education (a division of CMEinfo.com) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The National Center for Advanced Medical Education (a division of CMEinfo.com) designates this educational activity for 1.2 contact hours. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13776 for 1.2 contact hours.
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Disclosure Information
The Disclosure Policy of Projects In Knowledge and The National Center for Advanced Medical Education (a division of CMEinfo.com) requires that faculty participating in a CME/CPE/CE activity disclose to the audience: any significant relationship they may have with a pharmaceutical or medical equipment company, product, or service that may be mentioned as part of their presentation; any relationship with the commercial supporter of this activity; whether any drugs or products under discussion are unapproved for use or investigational, ongoing research, or preliminary data.
James R. Berenson, MD, has received grant/research support from Amgen Inc, Chugai Pharmaceuticals Company, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Susan Bove, MSN, APRN, BC, has no significant relationships with industry. Allan Lipton, MD, is on the speakers bureau of and is a stock shareholder in Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Christine Wilson, PhD, APRN, BC, NP-C, is on the speakers bureau of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; and is a stock shareholder in Pfizer Inc.
The opinions expressed during this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Projects In Knowledge, The National Center for Advanced Medical Education (a division of CMEinfo.com), or the commercial supporter.
This independent CME activity is planned and implemented in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies.
This CME/CPE activity is provided by Projects In Knowledge, and the CE activity is provided by The National Center for Advanced Medical Education (a division of CMEinfo.com) solely as an educational service. Please note that although faculty will discuss specific treatment modalities, neither Projects In Knowledge, the accredited and approved CME provider, nor The National Center for Advanced Medical Education (a division of CMEinfo.com), the accredited and approved CE provider, nor their CME/CE regulatory bodies, including the ANCC, endorse any of the modalities mentioned in the course of discussion. Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the healthcare professional caring for the patient.
This independent CME/CPE/CE activity is supported by an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Nurse Planner: Christine Wilson, PhD, APRN, BC, NP-C, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. Nurse
Reviewer: Susan Bove, MSN, APRN, BC, Private Practice, Reading, Massachusetts.
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