Faculty

Kenneth Kalunian, MD, FACR (Chair)
Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine (UCSD)
Associate Director, UCSD Center for Innovative Therapy
Director, UCSD Osteoarthritis Center
San Diego, California

Maria Greenwald, MD, FACR
Rheumatologist
Co-Director
Desert Medical Advances
Palm Desert, California

John Isaacs, MBBS, PhD, FRCP
Professor of Clinical Rheumatology
Director, Institute of Cellular Medicine
Newcastle University
Consultant Rheumatologist, Freeman Hospital
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom

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™ activity, 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. The overall goal of this activity is to assist participates 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;13:234-243.
  2. Malemud C. The role of the JAK/STAT signal pathway in rheumatoid arthritis. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018;10:117-127.

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of clinical rheumatologists, specialist nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses who manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Educational Objectives

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 enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 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 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 conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global 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:

Kenneth Kalunian, MD, FACR: Served as Consultant/Independent Contractor for: AbbVie Inc.; Amgen Inc.; AstraZeneca; Biogen Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Equillium, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech/Roche; GlaxoSmithKline; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; MedImmune LLC; Nektar Therapeutics; Viela Bio; Received grants for clinical research from: Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Kyowa Kirin USA Holdings, Inc.; Lupus Research Alliance; National Institutes of Health; Pfizer Inc.; Resolve Therapeutics; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; United BioSource LLC

Maria Greenwald, MD, FACR: Received grants for clinical research from: AbbVie Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc.

John Isaacs, MBBS, PhD, FRCP: Served as Consultant/Independent Contractor for: AbbVie, Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Received grants for clinical research from: Pfizer Inc.; Honoraria: AbbVie, Inc.

The planners and managers 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:

Lindsay Borvansky: Nothing to disclose
Andrea Funk: Nothing to disclose
Ashley Cann: Nothing to disclose
Celeste Collazo, MD: Nothing to disclose
Jim Kappler, PhD: 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 US Food and Drug Administration. Global and Integritas Communications do 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.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit, participants must complete the preassessment questions, view the activity in its entirety, and complete the posttest and program evaluation. Participants must also score at least 70% on the posttest. You will receive a digital copy of your credit certificate at the conclusion of the activity. 

Global Contact Information

For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com.

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