Experts in the Hot Seat: Targeting the Cytokine Pathway in RA Management
Program Overview
During this Experts in the Hot Seat interactive slide-audio activity, we discuss as a panel rheumatoid arthritis and management of patients with this disease. We will address the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and targeting cytokine-driven inflammatory responses for therapy, the role of biologic agents targeting cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), debate key issues and challenge one another to dispense complex information in an interesting and easily comprehensible way, while also challenging your knowledge and providing peer benchmarking. This activity also includes discussion of relevant data surrounding evolving guidelines for management of patients with RA and clinical trials of new and emerging targeted biologic therapies.
The target audience for this activity is physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who specialize in rheumatology and internal medicine.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
Delineate the role of TNF and IL-6 signaling pathways in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the rationale for anti-cytokine therapy as a treatment approach
Integrate current standards for disease activity monitoring into informing appropriate management for patients with RA
Incorporate emerging clinical trial data regarding the safety and efficacy of novel IL-6 targeting agents for RA into treatment decisions
Activity Faculty
Peter C. Taylor, MA, BM, BCh, PhD, FRCP, FRCPE
Norman Collisson Professor, Musculoskeletal Sciences
Oxford University Director, Clinical Sciences
Botnar Research Centre
Oxford, England
Thomas Dörner, MD, PhD
Professor, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
Charite University Hospitals Berlin and DRFZ Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Juan Gómez-Reino, MD, PhD
Professor, Medicine
Fundación Ramón Dominguez
Hospital Clinico Universitario
Santiago, Spain