Overview

Summit Description

Based on the principle that a wide variety of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders may share common immunologic pathways, therapies that target central mediators such as inflammatory cytokines may be effective for a wide range of diseases. These include such diverse disorders as inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin disorders, asthma and other forms of infiltrative pulmonary disease, vasculitis and other disorders. This summit will focus on shared immunologic pathways among many of these diseases, the basis for shared therapeutic effectiveness and toxicity of TNF inhibition in their treatment. It will also explore innovative ways of dealing with complex clinical problems in their clinical application.

Learning Objectives

  • Review and describe the role of TNF in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including data from pre-clinical models as well as clinical trials.
  • Differentiate the mechanisms of action, immuno-pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of current and future anti-TNF agents.
  • Review efficacy and toxicity of data in the application of current anti-TNF therapies.
  • Apply state-of-the-art management to complex patients with infectious, malignant, neurologic and other co-morbidities.

Target Audience

The Summit will be directed to researchers and clinicians (rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, and pulmonologists) involved with autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and, in particular, those with an interest in the field of TNF inhibitor therapy.

Accreditation

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates the educational activity for a maximum of 16.75 category 1 credits towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

This activity may be submitted for American Osteopathic Association continuing medical education credit in Category 2.

Faculty Disclosure

Current guidelines state that participants in CME activities should be made aware of any affiliation or financial interest that may affect the speaker's presentation(s). The names of the invited speakers declaring a potential conflict of interest, and those who decline to sign a statement will be shown in the activity syllabus.

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education acknowledges educational grants for partial support of this Summit from: