ASCO eLearning Offers New Course Collection on Targeted Biologic Agents

Jan 10, 2020

The ASCO eLearning Beyond Cytotoxics: Targeted Biologic Agents course collection offers participants an opportunity to learn about and engage with a topic that historically has low rates of familiarity among clinicians.

“The Targeted Biologic Agents course created by ASCO eLearning is a great resource that provides a broad overview of common targeted therapy used to treat cancer,” said Michelle Rockey, PharmD, BCOP, of Wake Forest University, one of the planners for the course collection. “Topics covered include drug class mechanism of action, adverse event profiles, and general management principles for patients receiving these therapies. These interactive, concise modules are perfect for practitioners with busy schedules wanting to learn about or refresh their knowledge on targeted cancer therapies.”

The collection includes the following courses:

  • Introduction to Targeted Biologic Agents
  • EGFR, HER2, BRAF, and MEK Inhibitors
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • HDAC, PARP, and Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Immune Checkpoint Therapy
  • Bispecific Antibodies and Antibody-Drug Conjugates
  • Biosimilars in Oncology

As biologic and combined modality treatments become increasingly prevalent, oncologists are facing challenges in navigating relevant clinical studies, distinguishing current management recommendations, and even correctly identifying appropriate biologic agents. Additionally, the rapidly increasing use of immunotherapies has resulted in an expanding diversity of adverse events, such that awareness, diagnosis, and management of the side effects of targeted biologic agents should be considered a priority interprofessional educational need.

Biosimilars are another key area of educational need. ASCO eLearning knows that it is essential for physicians and others involved in the treatment of patients with cancer to begin to learn about biosimilars, the efficacy and safety standards these agents are required to meet for regulatory approval, and how to effectively explain these new agents to patients.

“New biologic therapies have revolutionized the treatment of patients with a number of conditions including cancer,” said Gary Lyman, MD, MPH, FASCO, FRCP, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the faculty member who developed the Biosimilars in Oncology course. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has now approved more than 20 highly similar biologics or biosimilars, including 14 utilized for supportive care or treatment of patients with cancer. The potential for enhancing access to safe and effective cancer therapy must be a high priority for all of us and biosimilars represent an important opportunity to move toward that goal.”

Each course in the course collection offers continuing medical education, nursing, pharmacy, and Maintenance of Certification credit.


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