Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of community-based hematologists, medical oncologists, oncology support staff (RN, NP, PA), and other healthcare providers interested in treating and managing patients with multiple myeloma.


Statement of Need
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the United States and is responsible for more than 11,000 deaths each year. Although it has traditionally been considered a cancer of the elderly, MM is increasingly being reported in younger cohorts. Additionally, the overall incidence of MM among all age groups is increasing dramatically. Although the disease remains incurable, advances in MM research, coupled with combination treatment strategies involving novel agents, have helped to transform its treatment, leading to improved outcomes and increased patient survival. Pivotal advances, such as the emerging understanding of the bone marrow microenvironment, have created the rationale for novel combinations of therapies, as well as new molecular targets and individualized treatment strategies. This learning activity provides clinicians with the latest data concerning thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib, including management of comorbidities and treatment-related toxicities. Additionally, evidence-based recommendations for the incorporation of novel agents and tailored therapy into frontline treatment regimens and salvage therapy are provided.


Educational Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Evaluate the clinical rationale for targeting multiple myeloma therapy
• Explain the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma
• Review a new system for diagnosis, staging, and response assessment
• Develop individualized treatment strategies based on patients’ biology and physiology

Faculty

Paul G. Richardson, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Clinical Director
Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma,
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts


Mecide M. Gharibo, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, New Jersey



Physician Continuing Medical Education
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), the Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health Foundation (CMH), and Educational Concepts in Medicine. PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.


Nursing Continuing Education
Credit Designation
This educational activity for 1.3 contact hours is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.

Accreditation Statement
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.


Method of Participation
During the period January 29, 2010 through January 29, 2011, participants must:

• Read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures
• Study the educational activity
• Complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each question
• Complete the evaluation form

A statement of credit will be issued upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed posttest with a score of 70% or better.


Fee
There is no fee to participate in or to receive credit for this educational activity.


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 CME 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 CME 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 CME activity:

Name of Faculty or Presenter	Reported Financial Relationship
Mecide M. Gharibo, MD	Has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report.
Paul G. Richardson, MD	Consulting Fees: Celgene Corporation, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Contracted Research: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The planners and managers 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 CME activity:

Name of Planner or Manager	Reported Financial Relationship
PIM Clinical Reviewers: Trace Hutchison, PharmD; Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MA; Linda Graham, RN, BSN, BA; Jan Schultz, RN, MSN, CCMEP; and Julia Kirkwood, RN, BSN	Have no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report.
ECM: Bart Zoni, Executive Director; Patrick J. Crowley, Senior Director, Operations; Trisha Sullivan, Director; Tara Larkin, Senior Foundation Manager; Kathleen Casey Krafton, Editorial Services; Gay Boyle, Editorial Services	Have no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report.

Media
Internet

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), Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health Foundation (CMH), Educational Concepts in Medicine (ECM), Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower (Annenberg Center), and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 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, CMH, ECM, Annenberg Center, and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.


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 patients’ conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.


Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and the Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health Foundation.