This CME/CE program will review current clinical data and practical applications for anti-CD20 therapeutics in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Expert neuroinflammatory disease faculty, Drs. Fred D. Lublin and Joseph R. Berger, will critically examine the role of B cells in MS pathogenesis, the development of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies to selectively target and deplete CD20-expressing B cells, and the key differences among therapeutic available agents in this class. The faculty will discuss and contextualize pivotal clinical trial data (including OPERA, ORATORIO, ASCLEPIOS, and ULTIMATE), with attention to relapse reduction, MRI outcomes, disability progression, and NEDA-3 results. The lecture will also address safety considerations, including infusion reactions, infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, vigor of vaccine response, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and recommended screening before treatment. To conclude, the faculty will highlight current best practices for distinguishing among anti-CD20 therapies to improve outcomes in patients with MS.
MS specialists, other neurologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis
Review strategies to assess individualized patient characteristics and disease prognosis to determine the role of CD20 in treatment planning
Develop treatment plans to delay disability and progression in patients with RMS
Review and analyze clinical trial data for CD20 therapeutics to manage patients with RMS
Rationale for the Role of CD20 Therapeutics
a. Patient Selection
b. Disability Concerns for Patients with Relapsing MS
c. Biomarkers, Imaging, and Comorbidities
d. Disease Prognosis
Distinguishing CD20 Therapeutics:
a. Pharmacology, Pharmacodynamics, and Route of Administration
b. Clinical Trial Review
The Clinical Impact of CD20 Therapeutics on the Long-Term Care of Patients with MS
a. Considerations for Long-Term Safety
b. Effective Shared Decision Making: The Patient's Perspective
It is the policy of AcademicCME that all faculty, instructors, and planners disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. Planners have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose related to this activity. Faculty
have disclosed the following relevant financial relationships. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
| Faculty | Relationship Identified With: |
| Joseph R. Berger, MD | Consultant/Advisor: Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Morphic Therapeutic; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Roche; Seagen; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; TG Therapeutics, Inc.
Grant/Research Support: Excision Bio; Mapi-Pharma Ltd.; Population Bio Speaker’s Bureau: TG Therapeutics, Inc. |
| Fred D. Lublin, MD
|
Consultant/Advisor: AbbVie Inc.; Amgen; Ardanza Biopharma; Autolus Limited; Avotres; Bristol Myers Squibb; Cognito Therapeutics; EMD Serono; Genentech, Inc.; Genzyme; ImmPACT Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; InnoCare Pharma; Kite Pharma; Neuralight; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Roche AG; Sanofi; SetPoint Medical; Sudo Biosciences; Viatris Inc.; Zenas BioPharma
Grant/Research Support: Bristol Myers Squibb; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Speaker’s Bureau: Sanofi Stock Options: Avotres; Neuralight |
Timothy Hayes, MD, PhD; Kim Cheramie, PhD, MSN, RN, NPDA-BC, Nicole McMenamin and Chelsey Simonds hereby state that they or their spouse/life partner do not have any relevant financial relationships to products or devices with any commercial interests related to the content of this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.
In support of improving patient care, AcademicCME is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
AcademicCME designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
AcademicCME designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 CNE Contact Hours, including 0.75 Pharmacotherapeutic Contact Hours (Provider #P0491).
AcademicCME designates this continuing education activity for 0.75 CPE Contact Hours (0.075 CEUs) of Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit (UAN # JA4008190-0000-26-016-H01-P).
Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from TG Therapeutics, Inc.
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. AcademicCME and TG Therapeutics, Inc. do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.
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.
In order to claim credit, participants must complete the following:
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