Catalysts and Cascades: Combatting PNH with Complement Inhibitors

Target Audience

This educational program is designed for hematologists, oncologists, and other healthcare providers involved in managing care for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), including primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

Program Overview

PNH is a rare immunologic disorder that leads to the destruction of red blood cells through the complement cascade. Recently, two complement inhibitors (a long-acting C5 inhibitor and antagonist of C3) were approved by the FDA to treat PNH. Several other agents are also in phase 3 development. With these disease-modifying drugs, patients with PNH can now expect to live a relatively normal lifespan, but only if physicians and other members of the healthcare team know how to recognize and diagnose this disease and are familiar with its treatment options.

Join expert Dr. Carlos de Castro as he walks through the pathophysiology of PNH, explores the mechanism of action (MOA) of these new agents and their role in treatment, and discusses individualized therapeutic approaches. This video-based activity is complemented with a slide presentation, followed by a puzzle-based game.

Challenge yourself though a series of assessments on the complement cascade pathways, key clinical trial information, and safety and side effect profiles of newer therapies to complete the puzzle. The puzzle will reveal the MOA of complement inhibitors recently approved to treat PNH.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Explain how the pathophysiology of PNH affects management
Evaluate the MOAs of new agents and their place in treatment
Identify patients who are candidates for new PNH therapies