Maximizing the Potential of Cancer Immunotherapies: Collaborative Efforts to Refine Biomarker-Guided Immunotherapy

Release Date: June 30, 2020
Expiration Date: June 30, 2021

Activity Overview

This online, on-demand virtual symposium brings together renowned experts in molecular biomarkers across tumor types for an in-depth presentation on the clinical impact of recent and emerging data regarding predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. These experts assess the diagnostic testing platforms that measure DNA mismatch repair mutations, PD-L1 levels, tumor mutational burden, and other potential immune-oncology (IO) biomarkers, with a focus on practical applications to guide clinical decision-making regarding immunotherapy. It has never been more important for researchers and practitioners to be knowledgeable about the benefits, risks, and appropriate uses of emerging immunotherapies in the clinic to individualize care for patients with cancer.

This educational activity is an archive of the live virtual symposium held on June 23, 2020.

Acknowledgment of Commercial Support

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Merck & Co, Inc.

Target Audience

This educational activity is directed toward oncologists, researchers, pathologists, other laboratory professionals, and nurses who are interested in biomarkers for cancer immunotherapies.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this educational activity, you should be better prepared to:

• Describe the most recent clinical evidence supporting the use of cancer immunotherapies across tumor types
• Summarize ongoing research efforts to better understand current and emerging biomarkers with the potential to guide cancer treatment with immunotherapy
• Evaluate the benefits and limitations of different methodologies and platforms for testing of predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy
• Implement best practices for the use of diagnostic tools and biopsy sampling for immunotherapy biomarker testing, based on the latest recommendations and evidence

Faculty, Staff, and Planners’ Disclosures

In accordance with ACCME Guidelines, PER^® has identified and resolved all COI for faculty, staff, and planners prior to the start of this activity by using a multistep process.

Faculty

Charles G. Drake, MD, PhD, FAAP
Milstein Family Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Director, Genitourinary Oncology
Associate Director, Translational Research
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, NY

Disclosures: Consultant: AZ Medimmune, Bayer, BMS, Compugen, Ferring, F-Star, Genocea, Janssen, Kleo, Merck, Merck-Serono, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Roche/Genentech, Shattuck Labs, Tizona, Urogen, Werewolf; Shareholder: Compugen, Harpoon, Kleo, Tizona, Urogen, Werewolf; Other: BMS (Patent).

Johanna Bendell, MD
Chief Development Officer
Director, Drug Development Unit Nashville
Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Tennessee Oncology
Nashville, TN

Disclosures: Johanna Bendell, MD has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interest to disclose.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD
Ensign Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology)
Professor of Pharmacology
Chief, Medical Oncology
Associate Director, Translational Research
Yale Cancer Center
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT

Disclosures: Grant Research Support: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech/Roche, Merck & Co; Consultant: AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, ARMO BioSciences, AstraZeneca, Biodesix, Bolt Biotherapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cybrexa, Eli Lilly and Company, EMD Serono, Genentech/Roche, Genmab, Halozyme, Heat Biologics, I-MAB Biopharma, Immunocore, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Loxo Oncology, Merck & Co, Mirati Therapeutics, Nektar, Neon Therapeutics, NextCure, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Seattle Genetics, Shire Plc, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Symphogen, Takeda, Tesaro, Tocagen; Other: Board member (nonexecutive/independent): Junshi Pharmaceuticals.

Lynette M. Sholl, MD
Associate Professor of Pathology
Harvard Medical School
Associate Pathologist, Pathology
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Boston, MA

Disclosures: Consultant: EMD Serono.

The staff Physicians' Education Resource^®, LLC (PER^®) have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Off-Label Disclosure and Disclaimer

This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Learners are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this accredited activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a healthcare professional relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition. The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of PER^® or any company that provided commercial support for this activity.