Biomarkers and Biologics: Advancing Selection and Monitoring of Targeted Therapies for Severe Asthma

 

 

PROVIDER STATEMENT

This activity is provided by Integrity Continuing Education, Inc.

DISCLOSURE OF COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Various biomarkers have emerged as important markers of type 2 inflammation and as indicators for severe asthma endotypes. Immunglobulin E (IgE), blood eosinophils, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) have high clinical applicability in particular, and are useful in predicting response to biologic therapies. This program will review the role of these biomarkers in asthma pathogenesis and the latest recommendations for their utility in selection of therapy and prediction of response. A series of case studies will be reviewed demonstrating the application of this information and guideline recommendations in practice to assist with advancing the management of patients with severe asthma. In addition, current recommendations for length of biologic trials in patients with severe asthma, evaluation of response to biologic therapy, and recommendations for biologic discontinuation or switching will be reviewed. Finally, recent real-world data on the frequency of biologic switching and experience of patients prescribed biologics will be presented to support the rationale for appropriate biologic trials and evaluation of response.

FACULTY

Eileen Wang, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
Division of Allergy and Immunology
National Jewish Health
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Denver, Colorado

Michael Wechsler, MD, MMSc
Director, The Cohen Family Asthma Institute
Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
National Jewish Health
Denver, Colorado

Release date: September 15, 2022
Expiration date: September 15, 2023
Estimated time to complete activity: 60 minutes
TARGET AUDIENCE

This educational activity has been designed to meet the needs of asthma specialists (allergists/immunologists and pulmonologists), specialty nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and internal medicine clinicians involved in the management of patients with severe asthma.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

  • Discuss the latest evidence related to the value of IgE, blood eosinophils, and FeNO in severe asthma phenotypes and their implications for therapeutic decision making
  • Select appropriate biologic therapies for severe asthma based on phenotype, biomarkers, and comorbidities
  • Apply current guidelines to the assessment of biologic therapy and considerations for switching or discontinuing therapy
DIRECTIONS TO LEARNER

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period of September 15, 2022 through September 15, 2023, participants must:

  • Read the learning objectives
  • Complete the pretest
  • Study the educational activity
  • Complete the posttest and the evaluation form

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed posttest with a score of 70% or better.

MEDIA

Internet

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION

Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For information about ACCME accreditation of this activity, please contact Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. at (855) 835-4004 or cme@integrityce.com.

DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any financial relationships with ineligible companies. All identified relevant financial relationships are thoroughly vetted by Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

The following faculty/planners reported the financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they have with ineligible companies related to the content of these CME activities:

Eileen Wang, MD, MPH
Advisory Board: GlaxoSmithKline
Consultant: AstraZeneca, Clinical Care Options, GlaxoSmithKline, WeFight
Research Funding (Institution): AstraZeneca, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi

Michael Wechsler, MD, , MMSc
Consultant: AstraZeneca, Cohero, Equillium, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Regeneron, Restorbio, Sanofi, Sentien, Teva
Contracted Research: AstraZeneca, Sanofi

The Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. planners and managers have nothing to disclose.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. does 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 any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

PRIVACY POLICY

When you participate in an online educational activity sponsored by Integrity Continuing Education, Inc., you will be asked for your name, degree(s), affiliation(s), street address, telephone number and…(continued)

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Processor: Intel Pentium 4, 2.33 + GHz (or equivalent)
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10, and Mac OS
Plug-in: Adobe® Flash® Player 10

  • Adobe® Flash® Player 10 plug-in should be downloaded
  • Click on the “Agree and install now” button after unchecking the optional McAfee Security Scan Plus

For optimal performance, the use of Internet Explorer below 8 is not recommended

For a full listing of recommended operating systems, browsers, and system configurations, please click on the link below:
Click here for more information on minimum system requirements

DISCLAIMER

The information provided at this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

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