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STATEMENT OF NEED/TARGET AUDIENCE

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States in both men and women, resulting in more deaths than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancer combined. Progress in the screening, prevention and treatment of this disease has been modest, and about 85 percent of patients who develop lung cancer will die from it. In addition, a sense of therapeutic nihilism has pervaded the medical community in the past. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy have had a modest effect on patient outcomes; however, recent improvements have been seen in time to progression and survival in lung cancer clinical trials. Published results from ongoing clinical trials lead to the continuous emergence of new therapeutic agents and changes in the indications for existing treatments. In order to offer optimal patient care — including the option of clinical trial participation — the practicing medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and pulmonologist must be well informed of these advances. To bridge the gap between research and patient care, Lung Cancer Update uses one-on-one discussions with leading oncology investigators. By providing access to the latest research developments and expert perspectives, this CME program assists these physicians in the formulation of up-to-date clinical management strategies.

GLOBAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Critically evaluate the clinical implications of emerging clinical trial data in lung cancer treatment and incorporate these data into management strategies in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, locally advanced and metastatic settings.
  
• Counsel appropriately selected patients about the availability of ongoing clinical trials.
• Develop and explain a management strategy for treatment of elderly patients and those with poor performance status in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, locally advanced and metastatic settings.
• Integrate emerging data on utilization of targeted molecular therapies and molecular and genetic assays in the development of individual management strategies for patients with lung cancer.
• Counsel patients with localized primary lung cancer about the risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy.
• Identify the impact of smoking-related comorbidities on the treatment of patients with lung cancer and integrate smoking cessation into the management strategy for these patients.

PURPOSE OF THIS ISSUE OF LUNG CANCER UPDATE

The purpose of Issue 3 of Lung Cancer Update is to support these global objectives by offering the perspectives of Drs Socinski, Hanna and Kim on the integration of emerging clinical research data into the management of lung cancer.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY

This CME activity contains both audio and print components. To receive credit, the participant should listen to the CDs or tapes, review the monograph and complete the Post-test and Evaluation form located in the back of this monograph or on our website. This monograph contains edited comments, clinical trial schemas, graphics and references that supplement the audio program. LungCancerUpdate.com includes an easy-to-use, interactive version of this monograph with links to relevant full-text articles, abstracts, trial information and other web resources indicated here in blue underlined text.

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