New Biologic Therapies and Agents in the Pipeline for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Release date: July 2009
Expiration date: July 31, 2010
No longer available for credit
Estimated time to complete activity: 30 minutes
Sponsored by Curatio CME Institute
Support for this activity has been provided through educational grants from Amgen and Wyeth, Biogen Idec, Genentech, Inc., and UCB.
Activity Overview
The development of biologic therapies that target specific steps in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has allowed clinicians to make great strides in the treatment of patients with this disease. Despite these advances, there remains a need for additional safe and effective rheumatoid arthritis treatments. In this Expert Practice, Dr. Joel M. Kremer of Albany Medical College and The Center for Rheumatology in Albany, New York discussed a number of new biologic agents in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. He reviewed recent clinical data for these agents and shared his insights on how they may fit into existing treatment paradigms.
Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of rheumatologists and other health care professionals involved in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Evaluate clinical safety and efficacy data for biologic agents in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
- Compare the mechanisms of action of new biologic therapies with those of currently available biologic agents
- Distinguish patients who may be candidates for new agents in development
Faculty
Joel M. Kremer, MD
Pfaff Family Professor of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Director of Research
The Center for Rheumatology
Albany, New York
Accreditation Statement
Curatio CME Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
Curatio CME Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Method of Participation
There are no fees for participating in this CME activity. To receive credit during the period July 2009 to July 31, 2010, participants must (1) read the learning objectives and disclosure statements, (2) study the educational activity, (3) complete the posttest, and (4) complete the activity evaluation form.
Media
The Internet was selected as the instructional format to accommodate the learning preferences of a significant portion of the target audience.
Disclosure
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, all CME providers are required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of everyone in a position to control content of an educational activity. A relevant financial relationship is a relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the CME activity content over which the individual has control. Relationship information appears below:
Joel M. Kremer, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
| Consultant | BMS, Pfizer, Roche, UCB |
| President | The Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America |
| Speaker | BMS, Roche, UCB, Wyeth |
Curatio CME Institute
Shari J. Dermer, PhD, Medical Director, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Adam J. Perahia, MD, Writer, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Jonathan S. Simmons, ELS, Managing Editor, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Derek Warnick, CME Director, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Disclaimer
The information presented in this activity is for continuing medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician regarding diagnosis and treatment of a specific patient’s medical condition.
Unapproved Product Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Curatio CME Institute, Genentech, Inc., Biogen Idec, Amgen and Wyeth, and UCB do not recommend the use of any agent outside the labeled indications.
The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of Curatio CME Institute, Genentech, Inc., Biogen Idec, Amgen and Wyeth, or UCB. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
| Generic Name | Trade Name | Approved Use (if any) | Unapproved/ Investigational Use |
| CP-690,550 | N/A | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
| Fostamatinib disodium (R778) | N/A | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
| Ocrelizumab | N/A | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
| Ofatumumab | Arzerra™ | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
| Pamapimod | N/A | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
| Tocilizumab | Actemra® | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
| VX-702 | N/A | N/A | Treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis |
Hardware/Software Requirements
- JavaScript-enabled Interner browswer
Contact Information
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