Rheumatoid Arthritis Current Studies Therapeutic Options and Mechanisms of Action

Rheumatology
Curriculum:
RA MOA
Credits:
1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)
Launch Date:
March 17, 2015
Expiration Date:
The accreditation for this activity has expired.

Primary Audience:

rheumatologists, rheumatology nurse practitioners, rheumatology physician assistants and other health care providers involved in the management and treatment of patients who have been diagnosed with RA.

Relevant Terms:

Rheumatoid arthritis DMARDs, patient management

Gregg J. Silverman, MD

Gregg J. Silverman, MD
Professor of Medicine & Pathology
NYU School of Medicine
New York, NY

Dr. Silverman is a practicing rheumatologist and professor of medicine and pathology, Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence at New York University (NYU) and the Director of the NYU Laboratory of B-Cell Immunobiology. 
 
Dr. Silverman's research group has focused on understanding the immunobiologic origins of B-cell and antibody responses, and dissecting the molecular bases for immune regulation, with a special interest in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Ongoing studies are examining the pathogenic features of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and studies of the immunoregulatory properties of protective IgM antibodies that recognize apoptotic cells. He is also investigating the interface between the microbiome, host immune defenses, and the development of autoimmune disease.
 
Dr. Silverman has published over 150 articles in his field. He has received numerous awards from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Alliance for Lupus Research. He is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Henry Kunkel Society, and a past chairman of the Research Program of the Arthritis Foundation.

Joel Kremer, MD

Joel Kremer, MD
Pfaff Family Professor of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Director of Research
The Center for Rheumatology
Albany, NY

Dr. Kremer is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary society. He completed both a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in rheumatology at the Albany Medical Center Hospital and the Albany Medical College.
 
Between 1979 and 2000, Dr. Kremer served on the fulltime faculty of the Albany Medical College. He was appointed as a full professor of medicine in 1990 and became the Head of the Division of Rheumatology in 1992. In 2000, he became The Director of Research at the Center for Rheumatology, in Albany, New York. In 2005, he became the first Pfaff Family Professor and Chair in Medicine of the Albany Medical College.
 
Dr. Kremer has contributed >200 original articles to the scientific literature. In addition, he has authored 18 book chapters and edited 4 texts on the rheumatic diseases. He has been an invited lecturer at numerous academic institutions throughout this country and internationally. In 1997, he was awarded the Virginia Engalitcheff award of the Arthritis Foundation at a ceremony in Denver, Colorado, for his work on methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The award is given to an individual who has "improved the quality of life of patients with arthritis over the past ten years."
1. Describe therapeutic mechanisms of intervention for newer agents for rheumatoid arthritis
2. Analyze recent safety and efficacy data for newer agents used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
3. Formulate strategies to manage treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who do not respond adequately to their current therapeutic regimen

Release date: March 17, 2015
Expiration date: March 17, 2016
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
 
Activity Overview
This activity is intended to advance participant knowledge, competence and performance and to encourage changes in practice that address gaps in clinical practice relating to management of patients who experience nonresponse to first line therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. This activity presents: 1) data on current and emerging agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; 2) mechanisms of action for newer biologic and nonbiologic agents; and 3) strategies for incorporating newer agents into practice so that a wide array of patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be successfully treated.
 
Target Audience
This activity is intended for the education of rheumatologists, rheumatology nurse practitioners, rheumatology physician assistants and other health care providers involved in the management and treatment of patients who have been diagnosed with RA.
 
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 The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and Curatio CME Institute LLC. The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
Credit Designation Statement
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
Nurses and other healthcare professionals will receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of Certificates of Participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME, please consult your professional licensing board.

Faculty Disclosures

Dr. Kremer has received honoraria from and consulted for AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Pfizer, and UCB.

Dr. Silverman has received honoraria from and consulted for Lilly, Roche, Genentech, and GSIC. He has also been a speaker for Genentech and GSIC.
 
Other Disclosures
 
The University of Chicago Center for Continuing Medical Education
Mahira Zec Bonomo, MBA Director, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Curatio CME LLC
Daniel Duch, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
 
Commercial Support
Supported by educational grants from AbbVie and Genentech and by an educational donation provided by Amgen.


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