OVERVIEW
This free activity, entitled “Expert Insights in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Current Challenges and Future Directions,” consists of four brief presentations and panel discussions, a Learning Assessment, and an Evaluation form.

MEDIUM: Virtual Lecture
INTERNET RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2009
CE AVAILABLE UNTIL: March 31, 2010

Estimated time to complete this activity: 2 hours and 15 minutes

TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of pharmacists, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

ACTIVITY PURPOSE
This activity is intended to assist pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in understanding how to manage patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

STATEMENT OF NEED
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a complex, heterogeneous disease that is often fatal in adult patients. Advances in the treatment of pediatric ALL have not yet been translated into similar improvements in adult patients. Healthcare professionals who treat adult patients with ALL must maintain an up-to-date critical understanding of a long list of parameters that affect management options for this disease. These parameters include: risk assessment; clinical features; disease genetics; patient pharmacodynamics, patient pharmacogenetics, and minimal residual disease; predictors of treatment-related toxic effects; new treatment options and protocols; transplantation options; and availability of suitable clinical trials. Results of recent studies indicate improvements in many of these areas but provide little guidance on whether and how to incorporate advances into clinical practice. ALL has not yet received the attention of nationally reputable providers of practice guidelines, such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Thus, healthcare professionals who treat adult patients with ALL would benefit from educational programs that engage them in critical discussions of current challenges, new options, and the future outlook for this difficult disease.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Outline treatment challenges associated with Philadelphia chromosome–positive ALL
• Review current and future treatment options for ALL in adults
• Cite outcomes data for young adults with ALL who are treated with pediatric or adult therapeutic regimens
• Explain the prognostic implications of minimal residual disease in various ALL patient populations

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CE credit for this activity. During the period March 31, 2009, through March 31, 2010, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the Learning Assessment by recording the best answer to each question in the “Learning Assessment Answers” box on the Evaluation form; 4) complete the Evaluation form; and 5) mail or fax the Evaluation form with the Learning Assessment answers to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. You may also complete the Learning Assessment online at www.cmeuniversity.com. Click on “Find Post-Test/Evaluation by Course” on the navigation menu, and search by Project ID 5982.

Participants must receive a score of at least 70% on the Learning Assessment and must complete and submit the Evaluation form to successfully complete this activity. Participants who successfully complete the Learning Assessment and Evaluation form via www.cmeuniversity.com will have a statement of credit made available immediately. Participants who successfully complete this activity and submit the Learning Assessment and Evaluation form via fax or mail will be issued a statement of credit via US mail in 4 to 6 weeks.

PHARMACIST CONTINUING EDUCATION
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

CREDIT DESIGNATION
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.25 contact hours (0.225 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. (Universal Activity Number - 809-999-08-224-H01-P)

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of the completed symposium Evaluation form and will be mailed to you within 4 to 6 weeks.

NURSING CONTINUING EDUCATION
CNA/ANCC
This educational activity for 2.2 contact hours is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM).

PIM is an approved provider of continuing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13485 for 2.7 contact hours.

FACULTY
Charles A. Schiffer, MD
(Moderator)
Professor of Medicine and Oncology
Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan

Deborah Thomas, MD
Associate Professor
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Dan Douer, MD
Associate Professor of Hematology
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

Lewis Silverman, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School
Dana-Farber Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Stephen P. Hunger, MD
Ergen Family Chair in Pediatric Cancer and
Director, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Chief, Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplantation
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
The Children's Hospital
Aurora, Colorado

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.

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), Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (RMEI) and ViroPharma Incorporated 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, RMEI, or ViroPharma Incorporated. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings.

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 continuing education (CE) 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 CE activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

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 CE activity:

• Dr. Charles A. Schiffer has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Dr. Deborah Thomas has an affiliation with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hana Biosciences, Inc., and Novartis (Honoraria); and Amgen Inc. and Hana Biosciences, Inc. (Research Funding).
• Dr. Dan Douer has an affiliation with Enzon Pharmaceuticals (Speakers' Bureau and Contracted Research).
• Dr. Lewis Silverman has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Dr. Stephen P. Hunger has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

The following planners and managers have the following to disclose:

Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC

• Sherri Kramer, MD, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Elise Paxson has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Laura Altobelli, MS, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine

• Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MA, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Linda Graham, RN, BSN, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Trace Hutchison, PharmD, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Julia Kirkwood, RN, BSN, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.
• Jan Schultz, RN, MSN, CCMEP, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

FEE INFORMATION
There is no fee for this educational activity.

QUESTIONS & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
For questions regarding the content of this activity, contact the accredited provider for this CE activity: jjones@pimed.com. For technical assistance, contact jungsen@rmcom.net.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware/Software requirements include:
• Windows 95, 98se, ME, XP, NT 4.0, 2000   
  - Internet Explorer 4.0+
  - Netscape Navigator 6.2+
  - AOL 8
  - Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
• Macintosh 9.2, OS X 10.1+
  - Safari 1.1+
  - Netscape Navigator 6.2+
  - Internet Explorer 5.2+
  - Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
• Additional Requirements
  - Macromedia Flash Player 7
  - Internal/external speakers
  - Broadband connection (DSL/cable) recommended

Additional educational activities offered by Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC can be found at www.RMEI.com or by calling toll-free to 866-770-RMEI.

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