EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
This activity is jointly provided by Global Education Group and Integritas Communications. This activity is supported by an educational grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc. This is not an official program of the American College of Rheumatology.
TARGET AUDIENCE The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of clinical rheumatologists and specialist nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses who manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
STATEMENT OF NEED The Janus kinase (JAK) family of intracellular tyrosine kinases plays a pivotal role in transducing extracellular cytokine signaling, thereby contributing to major processes such as cellular proliferation, homeostasis, and host defense against infection.1 In RA, certain JAK-mediated signaling pathways are dysfunctionally active, leading to enhanced transcription of various proinflammatory genes and aberrant immune responses. 2 In this Interactive Exchange™ program, a panel of expert rheumatologists will discuss the rationale underscoring targeted JAK inhibition, the latest clinical evidence on available and emerging JAK inhibitor therapies, evolving RA treatment guidelines, and challenges surrounding the appropriate and timely use of JAK inhibitors. This interactive program will also allow attendees to direct their own learning by selecting topics, from a predetermined list, for the expert faculty to discuss and debate. Topics will reflect key issues that are relevant to today’s rheumatology practice, including, but not limited to, the initiation and use of JAK inhibitors as monotherapy, selecting among in-class therapeutic options, appropriate sequencing of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) following inadequate treatment response, and clinical complications surrounding the management of patients with moderate-to-severe RA. The overall goal of this program is to assist attendees in translating the latest information regarding JAK inhibitor therapy into improved RA management and patient care.
REFERENCES 1.
Winthrop KL. The emerging safety profile of JAK inhibitors in rheumatic disease. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2017;13(4):234-243.
2. Malemud C. The role of the JAK/STAT signal pathway in rheumatoid arthritis. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018;10(5-6):117-127.
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to: • Explain the significance of JAK/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling transduction pathways within the immunopathogenesis of RA • Compare the selectivity profiles, efficacy, safety, and clinical trial data of available and emerging JAK inhibitors • Discuss placement of JAK inhibitors within real-world RA practice, including the potential limitations of current guideline recommendations • Develop individualized RA-management plans that are informed by the latest clinical evidence, based on expert recommendations, and tailored to each patient’s unique needs
PHYSICIAN ACCREDITATION STATEMENT This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This CME/CE activity complies with all requirements of the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act. If a reportable event is associated with this activity, the accredited provider managing the program will provide the appropriate physician data to the Open Payments database.
PHYSICIAN CREDIT DESIGNATION Global Education Group designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Global Education Group requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals and their spouses/life partners who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global Education Group for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity: