Release Date: April 15, 2021
Expiration Date: April 15, 2022

Expected time to complete this activity as designed: 60 minutes

There are no fees for participating in or receiving credit for this online activity.

Program Overview

In this activity, experts will discuss exciting abstracts from the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting related to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Topics will include genomic and somatic mutations of MDS, personalized decision tools for MDS diagnosis, data on lenalidomide for non-transfusion-dependent, lower-risk del(5q) MDS, biomarkers that correlate with luspatercept response, the effect of luspatercept on MDS with ring sideroblasts, phase 2 trial result of imetelstat in lower-risk MDS, and therapeutic doublets such as azacitidine plus venetoclax and azacitidine plus pevonedistat in higher-risk MDS.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for multidisciplinary healthcare providers in the community setting, including hematologists, oncologists, nurses, pharmacists and other allied healthcare professionals who provide care to patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Learning Objectives

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

• Summarize the efficacy and safety data from clinical trials investigating novel therapies and treatment strategies in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
  
• Outline clinical trials and recent advances in the management of serious disease-related conditions in MDS
  
• Describe expert faculty perspectives on key clinical trial data for novel therapies and treatment strategies in MDS

Agenda

ASH 2020 Meeting Highlights in Myelodysplastic Syndromes – Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, MS; Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD; Rami S. Komrokji, MD

Instructions for Participation and Credit

This activity is eligible for credit through April 15, 2022. After this date, this activity will expire and no further credit will be awarded.
1. Read the target audience, learning objectives, and faculty disclosures.
2. You may be asked to complete a short pre-test before accessing the educational content. This must be completed in order to move forward in the activity.
3. Complete the educational content as designed.
4. Complete the post-test. To receive a certificate, you must receive a passing score of 70%.
5. Complete the activity evaluation survey to provide feedback and information useful for future programming.
6. Certificates for CME and CNE may be printed immediately after successfully completing the post-test and activity evaluation. Pharmacist credit will be uploaded to CPE Monitor 4 weeks following receipt of a completed, qualified form.

Faculty Biographies

Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, MS
Professor of Medicine
Chief of the Division of Hematology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Dr. Mikkael Sekeres earned a medical degree and a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed his postgraduate training at Harvard University, finishing an internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a fellowship in hematology-oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Dr. Sekeres is Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Hematology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Dr. Sekeres is chair of the medical advisory board of the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) International Foundation. An invited speaker at numerous meetings, grand rounds, and conferences, Dr. Sekeres is a member of the American Society of Hematology, where he is also on the executive committee, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Southwest Oncology Group—Leukemia Committee. His research focuses on patients with MDS and older adults with acute myeloid leukemia, and he has been the national and international primary study investigator on several phase I/II/III trials. Dr. Sekeres is the author/co-author of more than 350 manuscripts and 650 abstracts published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Nature Genetics, Cancer Cell, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Journal of Clinical Investigation, PLoS One, and Leukemia. He is on the editorial board of several journals, has written more than 50 essays for The New York Times, and has authored seven books, including When Blood Breaks Down: Life Lessons from Leukemia.

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD
Dr. Kenneth B. McCredie Chair in Clinical Leukemia Research
Chief, Section of Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Department of Leukemia
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero received his medical degree and training at the University of Zaragoza in Spain and at the Royal Free Hospital in London. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He continued his training with a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the Cardeza Foundation for Hematology Research, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he served as chief fellow. Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero is the Dr. Kenneth B. McCredie Chair in Clinical Leukemia Research in the Department of Leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also serves as the Chief of the Section of Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Vice Chairman for Translational Research, Leader of the AML/MDS Moon Shot Program, and Program Director of the Leukemia Fellowship Program. He recently was elected as Chair-elect of the Faculty Senate of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Garcia-Manero’s focus is on understanding the cellular and molecular biology of MDS and AML with an aim to improve therapeutic options for these patients. His work has been funded by NIH, DoD, LLS, CPRIT, and the MDS/AML Moon Shot project. He is currently PI/Co-PI on over 25 active AML/MDS clinical trials and has coauthored more than 682 manuscripts. Dr. Garcia-Manero directs one of the largest single institution units for patients with MDS and maintains one of the busiest clinics at MD Anderson. He has trained over 100 fellows and post-doctoral fellows and has been a speaker at multiple national and international forums. He has received numerous awards, including the Otis W. and Pearl L. Walters Faculty Achievement Award in Clinical Research and the Emil J. Freireich Award for Excellence in Translational Research. Dr. Garcia-Manero has also been recognized as one of the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007.

Rami S. Komrokji, MD
Professor of Medicine and Oncologic Sciences
University of South Florida College of Medicine
Vice Chair, Malignant Hematology Department
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida

Dr. Rami Komrokji received his medical degree from Jordan University School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency at Case Western University, St. Vincent Program. He then completed a fellowship at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester in hematology/oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Dr. Komrokji is Professor of Medicine & Oncologic Sciences (MOS) at the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Vice Chair of the Malignant Hematology Department, and the head of the Leukemia and MDS Section at the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa. In addition, he is a senior member of the Malignant Hematology and Experimental Therapeutics Program at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Dr. Komrokji has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 20 book chapters, and more than 300 abstracts in hematologic malignancies. He serves as member on the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) panel of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). He was a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Clinical Oncology and is peer reviewer for several medical journals including Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Leukemia.

Dr. Komrokji’s interests are in phase I and II clinical trials, and in outcomes research in hematologic malignancies with a focus on myeloid neoplasms. His clinical interests are MDS, acute leukemias, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Accreditation

	CME CREDIT MediCom Worldwide, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. MediCom Worldwide, Inc. designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
	CPE CREDIT MediCom Worldwide, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is acceptable for 1.0 contact hour of Continuing Education Credit. Universal Activity Number: 827-0000-21-020-H01-P. Knowledge-based CPE activity. In order for CPE Monitor to authenticate credit, pharmacists/technicians must provide their e-Profile ID number from NABP and date of birth (in MMDD format) when claiming credit for a CPE program. International Pharmacy Preceptors and Canadian Pharmacists: If you are in need of e-Profile ID to participate in an ACPE approved activity, please contact NABP customer service for further assistance as special handling is necessary. NABP customer service can be reached at (847) 391-4406.
	NURSING CREDIT MediCom Worldwide, Inc., 101 Washington Street, Morrisville, PA 19067 is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP11380. MediCom designates this CNE activity for 1.0 contact hour. Program Number: 21-020-142

Disclosure

As an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and California State Board of Registered Nursing, MediCom Worldwide, Inc. requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The ACCME defines “relevant financial relationships” as financial relationships in any amount, occurring within the past 12 months, including financial relationships of a spouse or life partner, that could create a conflict of interest. Accordingly, the following disclosures were made.

Faculty Disclosures

Dr. Mikkael Sekeres has received honoraria related to formal advisory activities from Celgene Corporation - A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Novartis AG, and Takeda Oncology.

Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Dr. Rami Komrokji has received honoraria as a consultant from AbbVie Inc., Acceleron Pharma, Agios, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celgene Corporation - A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Geron, Incyte Corporation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc, Novartis AG, and Pfizer Inc., as well as speakers’ bureau activities from AbbVie, Agios, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, and Jazz.

Planning Committee Disclosures

The individuals listed below from MediCom Worldwide, Inc. reported the following for this activity: Joan Meyer, RN, MHA, Executive Director, Lillian McVey, Medical Writer, Wilma Guerra, Program Director, and Andrea Mathis, Project Manager, have no relevant financial relationships.

Peer Reviewer Disclosure

In accordance with MediCom Worldwide, Inc. policy, all content is reviewed by external independent peer reviewers for balance, objectivity and commercial bias. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

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Provided by MediCom Worldwide, Inc.
This activity is supported by educational grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Taiho Oncology, Inc.

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