Biologic Agents for Refractory Ulcerative Colitis

Treatment of refractory ulcerative colitis remains a difficult task for gastroenterologists. The emergence of biologics as a treatment option has improved the armamentarium for this disease, although a number of questions remain including the role of cyclosporine and steroids, and whether these therapies can be used concomitantly with biologics. This Pod Pearl will discuss these issues and highlight the emerging clinical data on the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

At the conclusion of the activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify clinical strategies based on available evidence for optimizing the use of biologic therapies in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
• Evaluate the safety of biologic agents and consider how safety should factor into clinical decision-making.

This educational activity is designed for gastroenterologists and other health care professionals interested in or involved with the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Participants should read the learning objectives and listen to the activity in its entirety. After reviewing the activity, print out and mail or fax the evaluation and you will receive a letter of credit awarding AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM three to four weeks after receipt of the evaluation.

Estimated time to complete this activity as designed is 0.5 hours.

Temple University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor Continuing Medical Education for Physicians.

Temple University School of Medicine is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the PA State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Temple University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of .5 AMA Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Temple University School of Medicine designates this education activity for a maximum of
.5 Nursing Contact Hour.

It is the policy of Temple University School of Medicine; The Albert J. Finestone, M.D., Office for Continuing Medical Education to insure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of it's sponsored or jointly sponsored educational programs.
All faculty participating in programs sponsored or jointly sponsored by Temple University School of Medicine are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict (s) of interest related to the content of their presentation(s).

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Health System, or its affiliates. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Edward V. Loftus, MD,, has been a consultant for Abbott Laboratories; UCB, Inc.; Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He has received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories; UCB, Inc.; Schering-Plough Corporation; PDL BioPharma, Inc.; Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. \

Russell D. Cohen, MD, has been a consultant for Abbott Laboratories; Alaven™ Pharmaceutical LLC; Axcan-Scandipharm Inc. Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; PDL BioPharma, Inc.; Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Shire US Inc.; StoneBridge Pharma, LLC; UCB, Inc. He is also on the speaker’s bureaus of Abbott Laboratories; Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Axcan-Scandipharm Inc. Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Prometheus Laboratories Inc.; Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Shering-Plough Corporation; Shire US Inc.; Tanabe Seiyaku Co, Ltd.; UCB, Inc.

Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, has been a consultant for Abbott Laboratories; Amgen Inc. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Centocor; Elan Pharmaceuticals,Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He has received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories; Centocor; Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; UCB, Inc.

Copyright 2008 Temple University School of Medicine