Cytokines, Janus Kinase Inhibitors, and Small-Molecule Therapies, Oh My!: New Inroads Into Rheumatoid Arthritis Management

Jointly provided by

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Support for this activity has been provided through an independent educational grant from Pfizer. 

Release date: 8/2/2017

Expiration date:  8/2/2018

Estimated time to complete: 0.75 hour

Overview

Although the introduction of biologic agents has transformed treatment paradigms for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a considerable proportion of patients do not respond sufficiently to these therapies. A potential new therapeutic alternative for these patients is small-molecule inhibitors, which offer targeted inhibition of intracellular pathways that can be achieved via oral administration. To realize the benefits of small-molecule inhibitor therapy, it is essential for clinicians to know how these agents target cytokine signaling and intracellular pathways.  

This activity contains three interactive modules designed to help clinicians understand the mechanisms of action of small-molecule inhibitors and to recognize how these agents fit into established RA management guidelines.

Faculty

Anisha B. Dua, MD, MPH—Program Chair
Assistant Professor, Department of Rheumatology
Fellowship Program Director
Director of the Vasculitis Center
University of Chicago 
Chicago, Illinois

Eric M. Ruderman, MD
Professor of Medicine
Associate Chief, Clinical Affairs
Division of Rheumatology
Feinberg School of Medicine
Clinical Practice Director
Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation
Chicago, Illinois

Mary Chester M. Wasko, MD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Temple University School of Medicine
Division Director, Rheumatology
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of rheumatologists and other health care providers who are involved in the care of patients with RA.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the role of cytokine signals and pathways in driving inflammation in RA
  • Summarize the differences between small-molecule inhibitors and biologics in RA treatment
  • Evaluate recent clinical advances with the use of small-molecule inhibitors for RA and their potential implications for clinical practice

Accreditation and Credit Designation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and RedMedEd. The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure

According to the disclosure policy of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, all faculty, planning committee members, and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant relationships with any commercial interests related to this activity. The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation. All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity, and levels of evidence. Disclosures are as follows:

Anisha B. Dua, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Principal Investigator: ChemoCentryx

Eric M. Ruderman, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Consultant: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Seattle Genetics

Mary Chester M. Wasko, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Principal Investigator: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB

The University of Chicago
Mahira Z. Bonomo, MBA, Director Continuing Medical Education, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

RedMedEd
Denise C. LaTemple, PhD, Director of Scientific Services, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Jonathan S. Simmons, ELS, Senior Managing Editor, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Karen Smith, Creative Director, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Karen Tenaglia, Project Manager, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 
Barbara Zosh, Operations Director, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

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. RedMedEd, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and Pfizer do not recommend the use of any agent outside the labeled indications.

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.

The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of RedMedEd, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, or Pfizer. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Method of Participation

There are no fees to participate in the activity. Participants must review all activity information, including the learning objectives, disclosure statements, and content. To receive CME credit for participation, participants must complete the posttest (achieving a passing grade of 80% or greater) and program evaluation. Certificates can be printed immediately.

For questions regarding CME credit, contact the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine at (773) 702-1056 or cme@bsd.uchicago.edu.

For technical questions related to this activity, please contact RedMedEd at (610) 251-6841 or education@redmeded.com.

Hardware/Software Requirements

  • Apple iPad or iPad mini (iOS 8 or higher) with an Internet connection
  • A computer with an Internet connection
    • Internet browser (PC): Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 9 or higher, or Firefox 26 or higher
    • Internet browser (Mac): Google Chrome, Firefox 26 or higher, or Safari 5 or higher
    • Additional software: Adobe Flash Player and/or an HTML 5-capable browser is required for video or audio playback; Adobe Acrobat Reader may occasionally be required

Privacy

This website is managed by RedMedEd, and RedMedEd’s printed privacy policy applies to this site. CME credit for this activity is provided by the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. If you register for CME credit for this educational activity, RedMedEd will forward relevant personally identifiable information to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine so that records can be maintained concerning any credits issued to you. Aggregated data concerning registrations, posttests, and evaluations may be shared, but RedMedEd will not knowingly share any personally identifiable information. The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine may use the information you provide on this site to contact you about your CME credit or other relevant educational activities provided through the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. 

Copyright

© 2017. This CME-certified program is held as copyrighted by the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and RedMedEd. Through this notice, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and RedMedEd grant permission of its use for educational purposes only. These materials may not be used, in whole or in part, for any commercial purposes without prior permission in writing from the copyright owners.