Pathways to Better Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This activity is jointly provided by Global Education Group and Integritas Communications.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca.

This is not an official program of the American College of Rheumatology.

Dinner will be provided.

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of rheumatologists and other clinicians who treat patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Statement of Need/Program Overview

SLE is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that can present with a variety of clinical manifestations, commonly including arthritis, fever, photosensitivity, and malar rash.^1,2 The disease is pathologically characterized by generalized, multisystem inflammation and the presence of a number of potential autoantibodies and immune complexes.^2,3 Scientific and clinical research on SLE has uncovered factors that contribute to the characteristic loss of immune self-tolerance and the development of organ dysfunction.^3,4 A better understanding of SLE pathogenesis has supported the development of new approaches to disease characterization and targeted therapies.^5,6 Since approval by the US Food and Drug Administration of the first biologic therapy for SLE several years ago, promising new therapeutic options with novel targets are in clinical development.^5-7 Rheumatologists can benefit from updates on the latest clinical trial data and practical recommendations on how the growing evidence pool can be translated into future clinical decision making. During this Interactive Exchange™ program, an internationally recognized panel of expert faculty will discuss the latest updates in SLE pathogenesis, clinical data supporting evolving therapeutic approaches, and new insights into measurement of biomarkers, disease activity, and patient outcomes.

References

1. Bertsias GK, et al. Diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus: has the time come? Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2013;9(11):687-694.
2. Tsokos GC. Systemic lupus erythematosus. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(22):2110-2121.
3. Yaniv G, et al. A volcanic explosion of autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: a diversity of 180 different antibodies found in SLE patients. Autoimmun Rev. 2015;14(1):75-79.
4. Obermoser G, Pascual V. The interferon-alpha signature of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2010;19(9):1012-1019. 
5. Furie R, et al. A phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled study of belimumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits B lymphocyte stimulator, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 2011;63(12):3918-3930.
6. Felten R, et al. The 2018 pipeline of targeted therapies under clinical development for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a systematic review of trials. Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(8):781-790.
7. Furie R, et al. Anifrolumab, an Anti-Interferon-α Receptor Monoclonal Antibody, in Moderate-to-Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017;69(2):376-386.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be better able to do the following:

• Discuss dysregulated innate and acquired immune processes associated with SLE development and progression, focusing on factors that are promising biomarkers or molecular/cellular treatment targets
• Describe recent results from clinical trials evaluating patients with moderate-to-severe SLE and current or emerging targeted therapies designed to inhibit innate or acquired immune signaling factors or cellular populations
• Adapt current clinical choices for SLE management quickly in response to elucidation of new predictive biomarkers as well as clinical trial data and potential prescribing considerations as emerging targeted therapies become available

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.

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.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Event staff will be glad to assist you with any special needs (ie, physical, dietary, etc). Please contact us at info@exchangecme.com

Global Contact Information

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

Fee Information

There is no fee to attend this symposium; however, seating is limited. Preregistration does not guarantee seating. We recommend arriving at the symposium location early.