Understanding Myeloma Genetics May Lead to Individualized Therapies

The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) is complex because of rapid advances in stem-cell transplantation, medications, and better supportive care, all of which have led to improved patient survival. Overall, the care of patients should focus on treatment of the disease process and any associated complications. The diagnostic criteria for and management of MM in the updated 2016 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) broadens the population of patients eligible for therapy by expanding the active myeloma category and also integrating novel therapies at all stages of the disease. Dr. Van Ness will review current and new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of MM and will address the challenges that exist in the treatment of this disease. He will also identify genetic approaches to characterize variations in tumor progression and will address how to determine the best therapy to maximize effectiveness and response for each individual patient. Ms. Ahlstrom will discuss how Myeloma Crowd believes that educated and involved patients can drive better outcomes for themselves, be part of the solution to better care, and accelerate the discovery of a cure for their own disease. 

Learning Objectives
At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to

  1. Describe current therapeutic approaches in the treatment of MM
  2. List some of the challenges that exist in the treatment of MM
  3. Identify genetic approaches to characterize variations in tumor progression and response
  4. Discuss ways of determining which therapies work best for each individual
  5. Describe the role of using genetics and bioinformatic tools to identify individual tumor signatures of response or resistance
  6. Understand the treatment and management of an MM diagnosis from a patient’s perspective
  7. State the vital role education plays in empowering patients to participate in their treatment pathway and optimize their care
  8. Explain the potential impact of participating in a clinical trial to enable patients with MM to receive the most current treatments while assisting in research for a cure
  9. Recognize the importance of receiving treatment from a myeloma specialist versus a general oncologist

Faculty Listing
Jenny Ahlstrom
Founder, Myeloma Crowd and CrowdCare Foundation
Lehi, UT

Brian Van Ness, PhD
Professor
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
College of Biological Sciences
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Minneapolis, MN

Disclosures of Relevant Financial Relationships
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial SupportSM, OptumHealth Education requires all those involved in the development of activity content to disclose their relevant financial relationships. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if such person (or their spouse/partner) has a financial relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the activity content over which the individual has control.
OptumHealth Education ensures that the content is independent of commercial bias.

Faculty Disclosure
Ms Ahlstrom has disclosed the following: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Takeda Oncology (Consultant)
Dr Van Ness has disclosed the following: OneOme (Consultant)

Activity Planners
Michael Abecassis, MD, MBA
Northwestern University
Chicago, IL

Sarah Chart, RN
OptumHealth Education
Eden Prairie, MN

Rebecca Gleason, RN, CCM
OptumHealth Education
Eden Prairie, MN

Dixon B. Kaufman, MD, PhD, FACS
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison, WI

C. Fred LeMaistre, MD
Sarah Cannon
Nashville, TN

Tina Rydland, PharmD
Crystal Clear Rx
Denver, CO

V. Silverstein, MD
Eagle Creek Medical Communications
Durham, NC

Activity Planner Disclosures
Drs Abecassis, Kaufman, LeMaistre, Rydland and Silverstein have indicated that they have no relevant financial relationships.
Ms Chart and Ms Gleason have indicated that they are employees of and own stock in UnitedHealth Group.

Reviewer Disclosures
To ensure fair balance and avoid bias, the content for this activity has been reviewed by an independent medical expert with no relevant financial relationships.

Method of Participation
There are no fees for participating in or receiving credit for this activity.
For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the activity, which includes the following:

  • Completing the entire activity
  • Completing the Pre- and Post-Activity Assessments, Activity Evaluation, and Application for Certificate of Credit forms

You must be logged into your account to participate in this activity. Get started by clicking “Begin” and viewing the “CE Info”; then follow the prompts at the bottom of the screen. At the end of the activity, you will be able to view, save, or print your certificate of participation. The Area of Practice you indicated in your profile corresponds with your certificate type. A complete listing of all of your activities can be found under “My Account”, “My Activities.”

Method for Calculating CE Credit
CE credit was calculated by the complexity of content.

Accreditation Statement
Joint Accreditation LogoIn support of improving patient care, OptumHealth Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the health care team.

Credit Designation Statements
Physicians
OptumHealth Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Nurses
The participant will be awarded up to 0.75 contact hour(s) of credit for attendance and completion of supplemental materials.

Nurse Practitioners
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.

Case Managers
The Commission for Case Manager Certification has approved this program for a maximum of 0.75 clock hour(s) for Certified Case Managers (CCM). (Please reference the 25th Annual National Conference when contacting CCMC to claim credit for this activity.)

Pharmacists/Pharmacy Technicians
This activity is approved for 0.75 contact hour(s) ([0.075] CEU) in states that recognize ACPE.
Attending the full program will earn 0.75 contact hour(s).
Unique Activity Number(s): 0860-0000-16-017-H01P/0860-0000-16-017-H01T

Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be provided to learners upon completion of activity requirements, enabling participants to register with licensing boards or associations that have not been pre-approved for credits. To apply for credit types not listed above, participants should use the procedure established by the specific organization to which you wish you apply credit.

Provided By
This activity is provided by OptumHealth Education.

Commercial Support
No commercial support was received for this activity.

Hardware/Software Requirements
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Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of case managers, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physicians and other health care professionals who are interested in myeloma.

This activity consists of recorded presentations from the "25th Annual National Conference" held in Minneapolis, MN on October 5–7, 2016.

Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.75 ACPE - Pharmacists
  • 0.75 ACPE - Pharmacy Technicians
  • 0.75 AMA - Physicians
  • 0.75 ANCC - Nurses
  • 0.75 Attendance - General Attendance
  • 0.75 CCMC - General - Case Managers
Activity opens: 
11/14/2016
Activity expires: 
11/14/2018
Rating: 
0

Available Credit

  • 0.75 ACPE - Pharmacists
  • 0.75 ACPE - Pharmacy Technicians
  • 0.75 AMA - Physicians
  • 0.75 ANCC - Nurses
  • 0.75 Attendance - General Attendance
  • 0.75 CCMC - General - Case Managers
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