Immunosuppression: Possible Practical and Clinical Implications of Emerging CNI-free Immunosuppressive Regimens

Faculty

Needs Statement

Advances in immunosuppressive drug therapy have contributed greatly to the success of solid organ transplantation. Unfortunately, improvements in short-term outcomes as a result of advances in immunosuppressive protocols have yet translated into greater long-term graft survival. Graft survival half-life, a measure of long-term outcome in kidney transplantation, has changed only marginally. As a result, the focus of attention has shifted from short-term success to strategies to improve long-term patient and graft survival. Despite contributing to a reduction in the frequency of acute rejection episodes, many immunosuppressive drugs also have unwanted adverse effects and toxicities unrelated to their desired immunosuppressive effects. These toxicities are more likely to be evident during long-term follow-up and impact long-term graft survival. There is a pressing need for selective and specific immunosuppressive agents with more favorable toxicity profiles. Such agents may allow transplant clinicians to design immunosuppression regimens that increase patient compliance and adherence, preserve glomerular filtration rate, avoid long-term toxicities, and improve long-term outcomes. A clearly preferable immunosuppressive strategy for kidney transplantation has yet to emerge, but new agents in clinical trials may offer new hope for the future.

Target Audience

This program is designed to educate medical professional involved in the management of transplant patients including: transplant surgeons, physicians, PharmDs, coordinators and nurses.

Objectives

1. Understand the role of renal function on renal transplant outcomes;
2. Explain the need for alternative immunosuppressive regimens that
lead to preserved renal function, improved patient compliance and
better long-term outcomes;
3. Understand the potential administration and application of emering
CNI-free immunosuppressive regimens.

Accreditation

Medicine
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Pharmacy
The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

This activity has been assigned ACPE # 022-999-08-086-H04-P and will award up to 1.50 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers.

Statements of credit will indicate hours and CEUs based on participation and will be issued online at the conclusion of the activity. Successful completion includes completing the activity, its accompanying evaluation and/or posttest (score 70% or higher) and requesting credit online at conclusion of the activity. The College complies with the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education.

Nursing
Educational Review Systems is an approved provider of continuing education in nursing by ASNA, an accredited provider by the ANCC/Commission on Accreditation and designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.50 hour(s). Provider # 5-115-8-085

Educational Review Systems is also approved for nursing continuing education by the state of California and the District of Columbia.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Meier-Kriesche is on the paid speaker's bureau for Astellas, receives contract research support from Isotechnika, Novartis and Pfizer and recieves consultation fees from Isotechnika and Wyeth.

Dr. Woodle is on the paid speaker's bureau and receives contract research support from Astellas, Genzyme, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche.

 

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.