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- Cost: Free
- Expires: Feb 19, 2009
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Faculty
This activity has 4 faculty members associated with it. 
Gary S. Firestein, MDProfessor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
Director, UCSD Clinical Investigation Institute
University of California, San Diego
Daniel Furst, MDCarl M. Pearson Professor of Rheumatology
Department of Medicine/Rheumatology
University of California, Los Angeles
Arthur Kavanaugh, MDProfessor of Medicine
The University of California at San Diego, School of Medicine
Director, Center for Innovative Therapy
UCSD Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
Paul M. Ridker, MD, MPH, FACC, FAHAEugene Braunwald Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Director, Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Needs Statement
Biologic agents that block TNF have proven highly effective in improving the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), preventing the progression of joint damage, and improving functional status and quality of life. The introduction of TNF inhibitors has helped elevate the goals of treating RA, such that low disease activity or even remission are commonly considered appropriate therapeutic aims. Although they can be effective, up to half of patients treated with TNF inhibitors may not reach such optimal levels of disease control, suggesting that additional mechanisms are important in disease pathogensis and may be useful targets for therapy.IL-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine associated with both the joint disease and systemic comorbidities associated with RA. The symposium will describe the role of IL-6 in the RA cytokine network. It will also review the incidence, risk factors and consequences of cardiovascular disease and the anemia of chronic disease, two principal comorbid conditions associated with RA.
The results of current clinical trials of tocilizumab, a direct IL-6 receptor inhibitor, will also be reviewed. The discussion will include effects on joint disease and on major RA comorbidities, focusing on the potential therapeutic benefits and challenges.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for Physicians, Pharmacists, and Nurses whose specialty is Rheumatology.Objectives
1. Describe the role of IL-6 in the cytokine network associated with RA pathogenesis;2. Explain how IL-6 contributes to cardiovascular disease, and anemia of chronic disease, the principal systemic complications of RA;
3. Discuss the relative benefits and challenges associated with the clinical use of the first direct IL-6 receptor inhibitor, tocilizumab, on articular and systemic manifestations of RA;
4. Discuss the relative benefits and challenges associated with the clinical use of the first direct IL-6 raceptor inhibitor, tocilizumab, on articular and systemic manifestations of RA.
Faculty Disclosure
Dr. Kavanaugh receives contract research support from Roche.Dr. Ridker receives contract research support from Abbott, sanofi-aventis and Astra-Zeneca. He receives consultation fees from Roche, sanofi-aventis and Dade Behring.
Dr. Firestein receives consultation fees from Roche and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Dr. Furst is on the paid speaker's bureau for Abbott and Genentech, receives contract research support from Amgen, Abbott, Genentech, Centocor and receives consultation fees from Novartis, NIH, Bristol-Myers Squibb and UCB Pharma.
Activity Sponsorship
This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services. |
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