Melanoma Care Options™ Issue 3: Interpreting Developments in Melanoma Treatment

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Continuing Medical Education Information

To receive a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this activity:

• 70% of your posttest answers must be correct for you to receive a certifi cate of credit

To receive up to 1.5 CNE credits for this activity:

• Within 4 weeks of successful completion, a certificate will be mailed to the address provided
• 70% of your posttest answers must be correct for you to receive a certificate of credit

Target Audience

This activity is directed toward surgical oncologists, oncology nurses, medical oncologists, dermatologists, and other health care professionals who treat or screen for melanoma.

Statement of Need

Management of all stages of melanoma requires a concerted effort on the part of several specially trained members of a healthcare team. Assessing risk, getting patients into the healthcare system, evaluating prognostic information, analyzing and interpreting new therapeutic information and choosing appropriate therapy, working as a team, and educating, guiding, and motivating the patient remain challenging. A core group of specialists are knowledgeable about the optimal management of this malignancy, and this activity provides their insight for practicing healthcare providers.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Interpret the latest data on various adjuvant interferon alfa-2b regimens and extrapolate these findings to clinical practice
• Summarize defects and alterations in signal transduction pathways that contribute to the progression of melanoma
• Evaluate strategies of molecularly-targeted therapy for melanoma
• Identify side effects of interferon alfa-2b therapy and assess approaches to management that may improve patient comfort and adherence

Accreditation and Credit Designation

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™. Each physician should claim only those credits commensurate with the extent of his or her participation in the activity.

1.5 contact hours of Continuing Nursing Education will be granted by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers Commission on Accreditation.

We gratefully acknowledge an educational grant from Schering-Plough Corporation in support of this activity

Faculty Disclosures

In accordance with ACCME requirements on disclosure, faculty and contributors are asked to disclose any relationships with commercial interests associated with the area of medicine featured in this activity.

Keith T. Flaherty, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Abramson Cancer Center
Philadelphia, PA
Consultant: Astra Zeneca, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Chiron, Genentech, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Plexxikon, Schering-Plough Corporation

Rosemary Giuliano, ARNP, MSN
Surgical Hospitalist
Department of Surgery
Morton Plant Mease Health Care
New Port Richey, FL
Speakers Bureau: Genomic Health, Schering-Plough Corporation, Topo Target
Consultant: Topo Target

John M. Kirkwood, MD
Director, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center
Professor and Vice Chairman for Clinical Research
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA
Grant/Research Support: Schering-Plough Corporation, Berlex Laboratories, Pfizer Inc
Consultant: Eleos Inc
Speakers Bureau: Schering-Plough Corporation

Date of Original Release:April 1, 2009
Expiration date: March 31, 2010
Last Review: March 2009