Continuing Medical Education (CME)

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education activities for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

The AACR has designated this live activity for a maximum of 19.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL NEED, TARGET AUDIENCE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates there were 222,520 new cases of lung cancer in 2010 (an increase since 2009) with 158,080 deaths¹. The last 15 years of research have provided insight into the molecular nuances that stratify different types of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the past an approach to target all NSCLC with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, a “one size fits all approach,” provided a small measureable benefit but often with response rates of less than 20 percent². Most recently, common molecular subtypes of NSCLC have been found, allowing more targeted and subtype-based treatment selection. The most studied genetic variant in NSCLC is mutation in the gene encoding EGFR. Patients with this mutation have a better response rate to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib or erlotinib, than those without the EGFR mutation. Similarly in 2010, the molecular subtype of NSCLC with ALK fusions emerged to the forefront as a clinically relevant and treatable oncogenic mutation. The ALK fusion subtype of NSCLC responds to a different drug than those lesions with an EGFR mutation (~57 percent response rate to crizotinib), highlighting the need to understand an individual’s tumor genotype for optimal treatment.

Emerging advances in the field of lung cancer research that require multidisciplinary attention are: genetic mutations that confer resistance to treatment, the other molecular subtypes of lung cancer, and the possibility of screening for early detection reported in the results of the November 2010 NCI National Lung Screening Trial. To best understand and personally treat the correct subtype of lung cancer, it is critical to continue to study alterations that can occur within the gene, by gene product fusion, and even from transcriptional regulation.

After participating in this CME activity, physicians should be able:
1. To provide an overview of the current state of lung cancer research in the areas of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as recent developments and research through a series of lectures given by nationally and internationally renowned scientists from diverse backgrounds.
2. To educate more junior investigators and students in this field of research on advances and technologies, and to encourage them to initiate investigations in lung cancer research.
3. To accelerate translational research in the field and stimulate transdisciplinary information exchange by bringing together a broad range of scientists, including clinicians, basic, translational and clinical researchers from academia and industry, as well as patient advocates.
4. To offer a forum for open discussion, scientific interaction and collaboration among scientists with complementary expertise through the cooperation of the two associations, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). The conference atmosphere and schedule will provide these opportunities. We expect approximately 300 participants to attend this meeting, similar to the last meeting in 2010, and take advantage of the networking opportunities.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

It is the policy of the AACR that the information presented at AACR CME activities will be unbiased and based on scientific evidence. To help participants make judgments about the presence of bias, the AACR will provide information that Scientific Program Committee members and speakers have disclosed about financial relationships they have with commercial entities that produce or market products or services related to the content of this CME activity. This disclosure information will be made available in the Program/Proceedings of this conference.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF FINANCIAL OR OTHER SUPPORT

This activity is supported by grants and will be disclosed at the activity.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CME?

Please contact the Office of CME at (215) 440-9300 or cme@aacr.org.