Building an Algorithm for Moderate-to-Severe IBD: Integrating Novel Therapies

This highly interactive symposium, in the format of a round table discussion, offers an opportunity to build a "new" evidence-based algorithm which highlights the different treatment steps for CD and UC, the choices now available, and expert-led guidance as to how to select from the various therapies at each step.

Towards a more individualized approach in Crohn’s disease: What we know, what we don’t and current applications

This symposium will combine short presentations with audience/faculty discussion to highlight the latest evidence regarding current and future markers of disease prognosis, markers of responsiveness to therapy, and non-invasive markers of response. Using the theme "what we know and what we don't" the presentations will highlight current knowledge and call for additional research. Finally, the discussion sessions will consider how management should be adjusted to improve patient outcomes, including if and how "accelerated step-up" therapy to biologics can play a role.

Towards a more individualized approach in Crohn’s disease: What we know, what we don’t and current applications

This symposium will combine short presentations with audience/faculty discussion to highlight the latest evidence regarding current and future markers of disease prognosis, markers of responsiveness to therapy, and non-invasive markers of response. Using the theme "what we know and what we don't" the presentations will highlight current knowledge and call for additional research. Finally, the discussion sessions will consider how management should be adjusted to improve patient outcomes, including if and how "accelerated step-up" therapy to biologics can play a role.

Changing perspectives: The emerging role of bacterial translocation in the complications of cirrhosis

As we improve the management of viral hepatitis it is expected that the number of patients with viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis will decrease. However, a number of patients already have cirrhosis, and other causes of cirrhosis; notably alcohol abuse, NASH/NAFLD, and autoimmune liver diseases, remain important or will likely increase. Are you up to date on the changing perspectives on the potential role that translocation of bacteria and bacterial endotoxins may play in the complications of cirrhosis?

Myths, Facts, and Clinical Insights in Ulcerative Colitis

The Immunopathogenesis of IBD: An Integrated View of Integrins and Adhesins

This symposium activity offers a series of cutting edge presentations essential for those managing IBD, with an opportunity to discuss the implications of the data presented with an expert faculty.

Achieving Remission in IBD: Looking to Novel Agents to Update Management Paradigms

For patients with moderate or moderate-severe IBD, therapeutic options are limited to immunosuppressive therapy or biologic therapy with anti-TNF? agents. Although these can be effective, a significant proportion of patients with IBD are primary non-responders to anti-TNF? therapy, while more than one-half of responders experience loss of response or suffer side effects. Therefore, there is a clearly defined unmet need for novel treatments with different targets, ideally that are more ‘GI selective’. Clinical data available suggest that integrin inhibitors could offer one such option in the future.

Recent Advances in the Management of Ulcerative Colitis: What's on the Horizon?

Come and hear the expert Faculty discuss the future roles of new-generation corticosteroids in patients with mild-moderate UC, and the evolving management strategies for patients with active moderate-to-severe disease, in whom gaining and maintaining remission is a challenge.

Perspectives on C. difficile Infections Risk, Recurrence, and Refining Management Strategies

C. difficile infection (CDI) remains a significant, and complex, clinical challenge. The number of infections is increasing, and the emergence of a highly virulent strain has further complicated management. Therapeutic options for CDI have changed with the introduction of the first new compound since the 1990s. Clinicians and other healthcare providers must therefore now consider how to include fidaxomicin in treatment strategies. This activity will review best practice to address risk and recurrence and the need to refine management strategies.

HER2 in Gastric Cancer: Testing and Therapeutic Implications

Approximately 20-25% of patients with gastric cancer have tumors which are HER2 positive. In this group, molecularly targeted therapy with trastuzumab added to cytotoxic chemotherapy improves overall survival and progression-free survival. However, accurate assessment of HER2 status requires adoption of specific guidelines for sample collection, testing, and scoring which vary from those recommended for breast cancer. This program will discuss how HER2 testing and HER2 targeted therapy should be incorporated into clinical care paradigms. This discussion will include the timing of sample collection, the methodology that should be adopted (IHC vs FISH), interpretation of results, and how these may be affected by the sample tested (biopsy vs resection). Two activities are offered on this website, a series of short slide/audio presentations and a downloadable monograph.

HER2 Testing: Trends, Controversies and take home points for the clinic

HER2 testing is an integral part of the standard of care for breast cancer; it not only provides an indication of prognosis, but also more importantly indicates likely response to HER2 targeted therapy. Therefore, as part of the standard of care for breast cancer, HER2 status should be assessed and used to direct therapy. However, several tests are available each with different strengths and weaknesses. While many of the shortcomings can be addressed through the application of good laboratory practice, controversy remains regarding the relative role of IHC and FISH, and the scoring and interpretation of the results. This program will review the most recent data, critique the ASCO/CAP guidelines and discuss the practical application of HER2 testing and provide recommendations which are relevant to everyday clinical practice.

GERDigest.org

GERDigest is a CME-accredited activity for Gastroenterologists, Family Physicians and other healthcare providers, providing an exciting, up-to-date webportal focused on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Authored by leading experts in the field of GERD, this online program will provide regular case-based, interactive modules, each focusing on a different aspect of GERD, as well as other high-quality materials available for download.

A Call to Action in Gout: Finding Solutions to Current Challenges

Optimizing clinical management of multiple sclerosis: Current concepts and opportunities for future advances - Webcast

An expert faculty will discuss current best clinical practice and highlight unmet needs. The program will also "look into the future" at new diagnostic and therapeutic developments in light of the latest clinical data and clinical controversies.

Building Better Strategies To Manage Melanoma: Clinical Controversies and Opportunities To Optimize Outcomes

This CME-certified monograph explores the latest controversies in the staging and management of patients with melanoma, focusing on the role of sentinel node biopsy, adjuvant interferon therapy, and the therapeutic options for metastatic disease. Throughout the emphasis is on new data which have relevance to clinical practice both now, and in the near future.

From taxanes to epothilones: Targeting microtubules in breast cancer and beyond

You are strongly encouraged to request this Teaching Resource which will be supplied on a USB Flash Drive. This resource will be updated through 2008 in two further CME-certified updates, to ensure that the latest clinical data are included. These will be made available online to program participants, who will be notified when the updates are available to download.