The Expanding Role of TNF Inhibitors: Therapeutic Advances in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

A supplement to Skin & Allergy News supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Immunology. This supplement was jointly sponsored by The Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME), an ACCME accredited provider, and Skin & Allergy News.
The articles in this supplement are based on a continuing medical education symposium held on July 20, 2005, in Chicago.

•Contents
•Faculty
•Target Audience
•Educational Needs
•Learning Objectives
•Accreditation

To view the supplement, click the image above. To take the CME test, download and print out the PDF file, and follow the test instructions on page 12.

Contents

Introduction

Therapeutic Rationale for TNF Inhibition in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Therapeutic Strategies for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

TNF Inhibition: Safety and Quality of Life

Providing Optimal Patient Care: TNF Inhibitors in Clinical Practice

Faculty

Kenneth B. Gordon, MD, Chair
Associate Professor of Medicine
Loyola University
Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Director, Loyola Psoriasis Center
Maywood, Ill.
Clinical Grants/Consultant: Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., and Centocor, Inc. He has stated that he will reference unlabeled/unapproved uses of the following drugs: adalimumab and infliximab.

Craig Leonardi, MD
Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Saint Louis University Medical School
Central Dermatology
St. Louis, Mo.
Clinical Grants: Abbott, Amgen, Centocor, Genentech, and Serono Biotechnology Co.; Consultant: Abbott, Amgen, Centocor, and Genentech.

Alexa Boer Kimball, MD, MPH
Director, Clinical Unit for Research Trials in Skin
Harvard Medical School
Massachusetts General and Brigham & Women's Hospitals
Boston
Clinical Grants: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, and Centocor; Consultant: Abbott, Centocor, and Genentech, Inc.

Mark Lebwohl, MD
Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York
Clinical Grants/Honoraria: 3M Pharmaceuticals, Abbott, Allergan Inc., Amgen, Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Biogen, Centocor, Connetics Corporation, Genentech, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Warner Chilcott PLC; Consultant: 3M, Abbott, Amgen, Astellas, Biogen, Centocor, Connetics, Genentech, Novartis, Pfizer Inc., and Warner Chilcott.

Target Audience

This activity has been developed for rheumatologists, dermatologists and other health care professionals who treat patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and related disorders.

Educational Needs

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks skin and joints. Psoriatic arthritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition that deforms and disables. Because tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of these two conditions, TNF inhibitors have been investigated for treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They are generally safe and well tolerated and have shown promising short- and long-term efficacy for treatment of the skin and joint manifestations of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Nevertheless, there are rare but serious adverse events associated with TNF inhibitor therapy and precautions such as patient screening and monitoring should be routine practices. Especially because joint erosion often occurs well in advance of clinical joint symptoms, physicians need to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis so that structural damage can be minimized.

Learning Objectives

By reading and studying this supplement, participants should be able to:

• optimize medical treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis safely.

• appreciate the pathogenesis and mechanisms of TNF inhibition.

• recognize the distinguishing diagnostic features of psoriatic arthritis.

• minimize risks associated with TNF inhibitor intervention.

• highlight findings from clinical trials and postmarketing databases.

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME) and Skin & Allergy News. The EOCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The EOCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA/PRA category 1 credits toward the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

Term of Approval: November 2005-November 30, 2006.

Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Inc.

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