Free Hematology CME

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a progressive, multisystem, life-threatening disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of misfolded, insoluble amyloid fibrils. Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein present in human serum whose role is to transport thyroxine and retinol-binding proteins, and it is vital for behavior, cognition, nerve regeneration, and axonal growth. TTR itself is innately amyloidogenic even without the presence of genetic mutations. The hereditary form of ATTR (ATTRv) is passed to offspring through autosomal dominant inheritance and may present as late as mid-adulthood, but its symptoms usually start between the ages of 2 and 10 years. Left untreated, the average life expectancy of ATTR is 3 to 15 years from symptom onset.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: neurologists and hematologists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and any other HCPs with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with ATTR.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a diverse group of hematologic cancers in which B-cells accumulate in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissue, constituting as absolute lymphocytosis of mature-appearing lymphocytes with an appropriate immunophenotype. CLL is an indolent disease and often goes undetected for some time. Patients may present clinically with a range of constitutional symptoms usually range from lymphadenopathy, night sweats, weight loss, weakness, and fever. Staging systems take into account a variety of factors, including lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and the presence and severity of cytopenias, while a patient’s prognosis is impacted by gene mutation status and cytogenetic and chromosomal abnormalities. Both the presentation and progression of CLL vary between patients, although patients diagnosed in advanced or high-risk stages of the disease have a median survival of less than four years.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: Medical oncologists and hematologists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in oncology; and other healthcare professionals who commonly encounter patients with CLL.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by fibrosis buildup in the bone marrow, inadequate hematopoiesis, and splenomegaly. MF is a rare form of cancer, with an incidence of about 0.4 per 100,000 person-years in the United States. MF is the most aggressive form of the Philadelphia-negative, BCR-ABL1 chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, with a five-year mortality rate of 51%. In patients with other comorbidities at the time of or after diagnosis, such as diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary diseases, or obesity, even greater reductions in lifespan can be expected. It has a considerable effect on patient quality of life and is associated not only with feelings of fear, anger, and grief common of an oncologic diagnosis, but also a gradual loss of ability to perform activities of daily living and hobbies. MF imposes a significant financial burden through direct and indirect costs, and patients who are diagnosed at a younger age often become unemployed as the disease progresses.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: hematologists and oncologists in the community and academic settings; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in oncology; and any other HCPs with an interest in or who clinically encounter patients with MF.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is an immune-mediated response that occurs in recipients of allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). GvHD can be further categorized into acute and chronic cases. Maculopapular rash, follicular erythema, epidermolysis, are common manifestations of acute GvHD, in addition to liver and gastrointestinal dysfunction such as hyperbilirubinemia, nausea, and diarrhea. This activity focuses on chronic GvHD, which has more extensive multi-organ involvement including the liver, eyes, mouth, lungs, skin, genitalia, and gastrointestinal tract.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: hematologists and oncologists; nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists who specialize in oncology; and those who otherwise commonly care for or clinically encounter patients with GVHD.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Thalassemias are a group of recessively inherited blood disorders characterized by little or no hemoglobin production and chronic anemia of varying severity. Beta-thalassemia (BT) is most commonly found in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African descent. Worldwide, 1.5% of people are BT carriers, with about 40,000 infants born with BT annually. About half of patients with BT are transfusion-dependent, which may significantly impact patient quality of life. BT is caused by a point mutation in the gene encoding hemoglobin subunit beta (HBB), resulting in either lower beta-globin production (termed beta-plus [B⁺]) or the prevention of all beta-globin production (termed beta-zero [B⁰]). Disease severity depends on the extent of hemoglobin β and γ chain imbalance.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: hematologists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in hematology; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with beta-thalassemia.