Managing BRAF V600-mutant Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be the second most lethal cancer in the United States (US) with approximately 149,500 new cases and 52,980 deaths per year. Patients diagnosed at an advanced/metastatic stage have a five-year survival rate of roughly 14%. For these patients, initial treatment is usually chemotherapy based. With this treatment, patients have a median survival of 30 months. Through further research, targeted therapies have been developed to fight metastatic CRC (mCRC), these include antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These agents have increased overall survival (OS) in mCRC. Several biomarkers are used in the diagnosis of mCRC, including KRAS and MRAF mutations as well as microsatellite instability assessment. Testing for and targeting BRAF mutations is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Still BRAF testing is underused, especially at community centers. While BRAF V600E mutation is associated with poorer prognosis, there are now targeted treatments available. After first-line treatment, subsequent systemic therapy recommendations from the NCCN include the combination of encorafenib in addition to EGFR inhibition with cetuximab or panitumumab. Dermatologic adverse events (AEs), among others, may occur with these treatments, but there is detailed guidance available for their management. This educational program will help clinicians understand the importance of BRAF testing and treatment with practical guidance on managing AEs to keep patients on effective doses of their needed medications.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
New Directions in Atopic Dermatitis Management
Clinically heterogeneous presentation, with only intermittent symptoms and long latent periods for some patients, along with manifestations that overlap with other skin conditions make the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis difficult for clinicians, resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment. Current therapies such as topical corticosteroids, emollients, supportive care and biologics have limited efficacy and are not adequate for treating many patients with moderate to severe AD across different skin types. To bridge this gap, novel targeted therapies are needed. Investigational therapies such as Janus Kinase 1 (JAK 1) inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and membrane IgE inhibitor when approved will transform the treatment approaches for AD. These advancements will provide more treatment options for patients and will allow clinicians to specifically treat underlying causes of AD with more certainty. However, substantial accumulation of new data from these advances creates knowledge and practice gaps that affect patient care. This collaborative social learning platform establishes a network of providers who can support each other locally, as well as those from different communities, with the goal of learning and sharing best practices that will improve outcomes for patients.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
New Frontiers with BCMA Targeting in the Treatment of Heavily Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell disorder arising from the bone marrow and is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the United States (US), with an incidence of approximately 35,000 new cases per year. While progression-free survival (PFS) benefit is often seen with MM therapeutics, overall survival (OS) benefit is rarely seen with novel therapies, and improvements in PFS are still associated with adverse events and long-term disease refractoriness. Over the past few decades, rigorous pre-clinical and clinical research has led to the discovery of novel therapies that have dramatically changed the treatment landscape of MM in the frontline as well as in the relapsed/refractory setting. Despite implementing multimodal approaches to treat MM, the major challenge remains that the vast majority of patients eventually relapse and become refractory to multiple drug classes. Additionally, patients require continuous treatment throughout the disease course, which can negatively affect their quality of life due to potential therapy-related side effects. This collaborative social learning platform establishes a network of providers who can support each other locally, as well as those from different communities, with the goal of learning and sharing best practices that will improve outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
New Opportunities in the Care of Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The goal of this initiative is to improve the care of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy and characteristic manifestations are progressive muscle weakness, cardiorespiratory impairment, and premature death. Gene therapy provides a new avenue to treat life‐limiting neuromuscular disorders. Given the novelty of these therapies, clinicians involved in the care of patients with DMD may not be aware of their associated evidence and implementation. This collaborative social learning platform establishes a network of providers who can support each other locally, as well as those from different communities, with the goal of learning and sharing best practices that will improve outcomes for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
New Perspectives in the Front-line Treatment of Metastatic Bladder Cancer
This collaborative social learning platform establishes a network of providers who can support each other locally, as well as those from different communities, to learn and share best practices that will improve outcomes for patients with advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (a/mUC) of the bladder comprises a small subset of all urothelial tumors but accounts for the majority of the rapid mortality associated with this disease. Over the last decade, accelerating basic science research has enabled a deeper understanding of the molecular biology of urothelial tumors, leading to the development of novel treatment strategies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated encouraging results in the first-line and second-line treatment of mUC as well as in treatment-naïve cisplatin-ineligible patients with some durable responses and a favorable toxicity profile when compared to further chemotherapy. More recently, a new ICI/antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) combination has been approved. Given these changes, educational gaps exist for clinicians treating patients with advanced or metastatic UC in the areas of (1) determining cisplatin/platinum eligibility, (2) use of immuno-oncologic (IO) agents and IO/ADC combinations, and (3) managing adverse events associated with these treatments. This social learning experience will address these gaps and provide the opportunity to collaborate.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
On the front lines - Managing CRS in the Emergency Department
Rigorous clinical research has led to the discovery of novel immunologic therapies. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T-cell) therapy has shown impressive outcomes but is associated with a significant risk of adverse events (AEs), chiefly cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Bispecific antibodies act through a similar mechanism of action but offer a lower risk of CRS. These AEs may require immediate management, which may occur in the emergency department (ED) setting. Given the novelty and specialty nature of bispecific antibody and CAR T-cell therapies, ED clinicians face several challenges in the practical management of patients receiving these therapies. Similarly, given the breadth of conditions treated with these therapies, ED clinicians may face difficulties knowing which patient populations are at risk. While CAR T therapies are approved for hematologic malignancies, bispecific antibodies are approved for many indications including hematologic malignancies, non-small cell lung cancer, uveal melanoma, hemophilia A, and neovascular macular edema. This collaborative social learning platform establishes a network of providers who can create a sustainable network of providers who can continue to support each other following this experience in implementing their practice action plans aimed at improving the care provided to patients on CAR T or bispecific therapies.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
Optimizing and Individualizing CIDP Treatment
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a progressive immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nerves attributed to demyelination and impairment of signal conduction in motor and/or sensory nerves. Symptoms include loss of strength and sensation typically causing symmetrical, proximal, and distal weakness. Disease progression is variable, with many patients experiencing chronic patterns of relapse and remission. This proposed educational initiative establishes impactful small group interactions among highly qualified neurology providers that will, through a variety of collaborative educational experiences, help them optimize the care of their patients with CIDP. This program will include discussions with experts and peers who can share knowledge, real world experiences, strategies, challenges, and success stories.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
Optimizing Clinical Advances in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's
It is well recognized that early diagnosis and ongoing management of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) requires a patient-centric, highly coordinated effort among a large multidisciplinary team of clinicians. As such, this proposed initiative establishes meaningful, small group interactions among key stakeholders (neurologists, dementia specialists, geriatricians, geriatric psychologists, radiologists, and primary care clinicians) that will, through a variety of collaborative educational experiences, help all members of the care team consider approaches to reducing barriers to effective coordinated care and encourages each participant to create an action plan to improve the quality of AD care delivered within their organization. Considering the complexity of this challenge, lack of expertise, and the breadth of communication and cooperation required, participants would highly benefit from an educational intervention that includes discussions with knowledgeable experts and peers from within and outside of their own communities who can share experiences, strategies, challenges, and success stories.<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
Optimizing Treatment for Patients with CLL
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in Western countries, with an age-adjusted incidence of 4.6 per 100,000 individuals per year. As small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) refers to the same malignant process with primary nodal involvement rather than blood, these are generally managed as a single condition (CLL/SLL). The selection of therapies for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL requires consideration of several factors including previous therapies, disease characteristics, and patient-specific factors such as co-morbidities and concurrent medications. Given the recency of new research into these targeted treatments and new approvals, clinicians lack background knowledge of the most current evidence and guideline recommendations in the treatment of CLL/SLL. Even within national guidelines, specific recommendations for initial treatment choice and sequencing are not directed. This collaborative social learning platform establishes a network of providers who can support each other locally, as well as those from different communities, with the goal of learning and sharing best practices that will improve outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).<br> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.gathered.com/author/medicallogix/jhu-logo.jpg" width="200" alt="John Hopkins Medicine Logo" title="John Hopkins Medicine Logo">
