Translational Genomic Research and the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Translational Genomic Research and the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma is a CME-Certified Supplement to Skin & Allergy News^(R). This journal supplement is supported by an educational grant from Genentech and is jointly sponsored by University of Louisville Continuing Health Sciences Education and Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC.

Translational Genomic Research and the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma journal supplement is available at: link directly to supplement

• Topic Highlights
• Faculty/Faculty Disclosure Statement
• Target Audience
• Educational Needs
• Learning Objectives
• Accreditation Statement
• Credit Designation 
• Term of Approval

To view the supplement, click the image above.

Table of Contents

• Skin Cancers and Their Etiologies
• Elucidating the Role of Molecular Signaling Pathways in the Tumorigenesis of Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Assessing Current Treatment Options for Patients With Severe/Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Emerging Treatments and Signaling Pathway Inhibitors

 

Faculty/Faculty Disclosure Statement
Ashfaq A. Marghoob, MD

Associate Professor of Dermatology

SUNY Stony Brook

Associate Attending Physician

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Skin Cancer Center

Hauppauge, New York

 

Ashfaq A. Marghoob, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

 

Jean Y. Tang, MD, PhD 

Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Stanford University School of Medicine

Palo Alto, California

 

Jean Y. Tang, MD, PhD, has served as a consultant for Genentech, Inc.

 

Martin A. Weinstock, MD, PhD

Professor of Dermatology and Community Health

Alpert Medical School

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

 

Martin A. Weinstock, MD, PhD has served as a consultant for Abbott Laboratories, Genentech, Inc., Merck&Co, Inc, and F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.

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Target Audience

The target audiences for this educational supplement are dermatologists and other clinicians who manage patients with basal cell carcinoma.

 

Educational Needs

The development of BCC is usually restricted to one or two superficial areas of the skin; however, there are patients with severe and refractory cases, many of whom are genetically susceptible to developing multiple BCC lesions throughout their bodies. In such cases, genetic mutation analysis studies have uncovered the accelerated involvement of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which plays a key role in the development of BCC lesions as well as other types of cancers. Evolving genomic research into the role of the Hedgehog ligand in human embryonic development and in normal postdevelopmental skin, hair, and stem cells has elucidated a large body of information on Hedgehog and on the downstream proteins it produces. This knowledge has, in turn, led to the translational development of several Hedgehog pathway inhibitors that appear to block signals from this pathway that allow BCC tumor cells to proliferate. A number of molecules that target the Smoothened gene within the Hedgehog pathway are well along in development. As of the date of this publication, several of these-including BMS-833923, LDE225, LEQ506, IPI926, and TAK-441-are being tested in phase I and II clinical trials; phase III clinical trials are scheduled for another agent, GDC-0449.

Of the estimated 2.8 million patients who present annually with BCC, a fraction have recurrent, advanced, or unresectable tumors. A full understanding of the role that the Hedgehog signaling pathway plays in the development of cancer is still evolving, but clinical availability of certain agents that act on this pathway can be anticipated within the next 2 to 3 years. This supplement provides clinicians with the latest information regarding emerging therapies, as well as the clinical context into which they may be incorporated.

Learning Objectives

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

• Articulate the mechanisms of DNA damage associated with sporadic BCCs and the underlying causes of genetic mutations seen BCCs in patients with Gorlin syndrome (also called basal cell nevus syndrome or nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome)
• Assess the risk for progression and recurrence associated with the clinical subtypes of BCC
• Explain the Hedgehog signaling pathway and its role in normal tissue development as well as in the tumorigenesis of BCC and other cancers
• Define advanced or severe BCC, describe the genetic mechanisms that have been identified, and explain how emerging targeted therapies may be used as chemoprevention in patients with Gorlin syndrome
• Describe the putative method of action of emerging agents that may be used as chemoprevention in the treatment of patients with advanced BCC
• Educate patients about treatment options and pharmacologic therapies that are currently available  with advanced, refractory, or unresectable BCC
• Appropriately incorporate into clinical practice one or more of the targeted treatments that act on the Hedgehog pathway, as these agents become available

Accreditation Statement

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 University of Louisville School of Medicine Continuing Health Sciences Education (CHSE) and Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC. CHSE is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing education for physicians. 

Credit Designation

CHSE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Term of Approval

Release date: December 2011

Most recent review date: December 2011

Expiration date: December 2013

Medium or combination of media used: written supplement

Method of physician participate: journal supplement

Copyright (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc.

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