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Understanding MS
 
Update on Neutralizing Antibodies in MS Treatment
Sponsored by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine
Release date: June 2005
Expiration date: June 2006
Estimated time to complete: 0.5 hour
This educational program is supported through an educational grant from Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals.
  • Program Overview
  • ß-Interferons are a mainstay in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) but patients may develop antibodies that neutralize their effect and reduce clinical efficacy. As more information has become known about the effects of these neutralizing antibodies attempts have been made at reaching a consensus on their impact. This CME provides an opportunity for neurologists to understand the phenomenon of neutralizing antibody development and the relevance of such development to MS treatment.
  • Target Audience
  • This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of neurologists involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis.
  • Goal Statement
  • To highlight the importance of neutralizing antibody development and the effects it can have on the efficacy of treatment with interferon in patients with MS.
  • Learning Objectives
  • At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:
    • Review the factors associated with neutralizing antibody formation
    • Discuss guidelines for the use of antibody titers in clinical practice
    • Describe the various assays used to measure neutralizing antibodies and the cost effectiveness of their use
    • Explain how to integrate the impact of neutralizing antibodies into the treatment of patients with MS
  • Faculty:
  • J. Theodore Phillips, Jr., MD, PhD (Moderator)
    Multiple Sclerosis Center at Texas Neurology, Baylor University Medical Center

    Dr. Ted Phillips is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with special honors in chemistry, and received MD and PhD (Immunology) degrees and Neurology Residency training from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He is director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Texas Neurology in Dallas, and serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Attending Neurologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He is a principal developer of a national registry for MS (MSTRAC) and is a principal investigator in several ongoing clinical treatment trials in MS.

    Frederick Munschauer III, MD
    University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

    Frederick E. Munschauer III, MD, is the director of the Research Center for Stroke and Heart Disease at Kaleida Health in Buffalo, NY, and his primary research interests are vascular disease prevention, healthcare delivery, and multiple sclerosis.

    Dr. Munschauer is involved in a number of clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health as well as the pharmaceutical industry. His research has been published in Clinical Therapeutics, Stroke, Neurology, and Annals of Neurology.

    Dr. Munschauer is an associate professor of clinical neurology and internal medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine

    Dr. Kita is currently Director of the Virginia Mason Multiple Sclerosis Center and is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

    Andrew Pachner, MD
    University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey

    Andrew Pachner, MD, is a professor of neurosciences at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

  • Instructions for CME Credit
  • Physician Continuing Education
    Accreditation Statement

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Healthology. The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    Credit Designation
    The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of .5 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

    Faculty Disclosure Statements
    The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine has a conflict of interest policy that requires course faculty to disclose any real or apparent commercial financial affiliations related to the content of their presentations/materials. It is not assumed that these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on faculty presentations; they are simply noted here to fully inform participants.

  • Faculty Disclosure Statement
  • J. Theodore Phillips, Jr., MD, PhD
    Speakers’ Bureau: Biogen Idec

    Frederick Munschauer III, MD
    Grants/Research Support: Biogen Idec, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca
    Speakers' Bureau: Biogen Idec, Pfizer, Sanofi, Merck

    Andrew Pachner, MD
    Grants/Research Support: Biogen Idec, Berlex, Serono
    Consultant: Biogen Idec, Berlex, Serono
    Speakers Bureau: Biogen Idec, Berlex, Serono

  • Method of Participation
  • There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period June 2005 through June 2006, participants must: 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the post-test by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the Evaluation Form; 4) complete the Evaluation Form; and 5) mail or fax the Evaluation Form with answer key to the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.

    A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity Evaluation Form and a completed post-test with a score of 70 percent or better. Your statement of credit will be mailed to you within three weeks.

  • Media
  • Internet
  • Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
  • This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by FDA. The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Healthology and Biogen Idec do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

    The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, Healthology and Biogen Idec. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings.

  • Disclaimer
  • Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

    Produced by Healthology © 2005

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