Category Archives: Myelofibrosis

Ruxolitinib Improves Spleen Volume, TSS in Myelofibrosis Irrespective of Anemia, Transfusion Status

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Gina Mauro
Conference|European Hematology Association Congress

Ruxolitinib was found to improve spleen volume and tumor symptom score in patients with myelofibrosis, irrespective of their anemia and transfusion status, according to data from a post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 COMFORT-I and -II trials.

Ruxolitinib (Jakafi) was found to improve spleen volume and tumor symptom score (TSS) in patients with myelofibrosis, irrespective of their anemia and transfusion status, according to data from a post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 COMFORT-I (NCT00952289) and -II (NCT00934544) trials that were published during the 2023 EHA Congress.1

Results showed that the reduction in spleen volume of 35% or greater from baseline (SVR35) rates at week 24 in patients with new or worsening anemia up to week 12 were 48.8%, 33.3%, and 41.4%, respectively, for those who were nonanemic, anemic/nontransfusion dependent, and anemic/transfusion dependent at baseline. These rates were 43.2%, 23.1%, and 28.2%, respectively, in patients who did not have new or worsening anemia at week 24.

SVR35 at week 48 was achieved in 42.1%, 44.1%, and 34.6% of patients who had new or worsening anemia and were nonanemic, anemic/nontransfusion dependent, and anemic/transfusion dependent at baseline compared with 42.4%, 22.2%, and 27.3% in those who did not have new or worsening anemia.

A 50% or greater reduction in TSS at week 24 was achieved by 51.1%, 42.1%, and 46.7% of those with new or worsening anemia up to week 12 and who were nonanemic, anemic/nontransfusion dependent, or anemic/transfusion dependent at baseline. In patients who did not have new or worsening anemia up to week 12, these rates were 42.9%, 40.0%, and 54.2%, respectively.

Ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, is indicated for patients with intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis. The FDA approval for ruxolitinib in this setting was based off findings from the COMFORT-I2 and COMFORT-II3 trials. Findings showed that ruxolitinib demonstrated a reduction in spleen volume, improved myelofibrosis-related symptoms, and prolonged overall survival. This was in comparison with placebo in COMFORT-I and with best available therapy (BAT) in COMFORT-II.

Transient dose-dependent anemia is a treatment-related adverse effect (TRAE) that has been observed with ruxolitinib. In COMFORT-I, grade 3/4 anemia occurred in 45.2% of patients on ruxolitinib vs 19.2% with placebo. In COMFORT-II, the most frequently reported serious adverse effect in both arms was anemia (5% with ruxolitinib vs 4% with BAT).

Therefore, in the post-hoc analysis presented during the congress, investigators sought to determine how new or worsening anemia from ruxolitinib treatment impacts SVR and TSS in this patient population.1

Patients were treated with ruxolitinib twice daily with an initial dose based on platelet count. For those with a platelet count of 100 to 200 x 109/L, the dose was 15 mg vs 20 mg for those whose platelet count was above 200 x 109/L. Stratification factors included anemia status at baseline (yes vs no) and transfusion status at baseline (transfusion dependent vs nontransfusion dependent).

Anemia was defined as hemoglobin less than 100 g/L and patients were considered transfusion dependent if they received 2 or more units of red blood cells over 8 to 12 weeks before their first dose of ruxolitinib. Investigators stratified outcomes via presence or absence of new or worsening anemia postbaseline, which was defined as a decrease in hemoglobin of at least 15 g/L or new transfusion requirement at weeks 4, 8, or 12.

Specifically, investigators assessed patients with a reduction in spleen volume of at least 35% from baseline from the pooled COMFORT-I/-II data at weeks 24 and 48, and with at least a 50% reduction in modified Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form TSS at week 24, from the COMFORT-I data.

A total of 277 patients were included in the analysis. Regarding baseline characteristics, the median age ranged from 65.0 to 71.0 years, and between 47% and 56% were male. More than half of patients were baseline nonanemic (n = 154; 55.6%) 19.9% (n = 55) were anemic/nontransfusion dependent, and 24.5% (n = 68) were anemia/transfusion dependent.

References

  1. Al-Ali HK, Mesa R, Hamer-Maansson JE, Braunstein E, Harrison, C. Effect of new or worsening anemia on clinical outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) treated with ruxolitinib (RUX): a post hoc analysis of the COMFORT-I and -II trials. Presented at: 2023 European Hematology Association Congress; June 8-11, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany. Abstract PB2185.
  2. Verstovsek S, Mesa RA, Gotlib J, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ruxolitinib for myelofibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(9):799-807. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1110557
  3. Harrison C, Kiladjian J-J, Al-Ali HK, et al. JAK Inhibition with ruxolitinib versus best available therapy for myelofibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:787-798. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1110556.

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Dr Al-Ali on the Safety and Efficacy of BMS-986158 Plus Ruxolitinib or Fedratinib in Myelofibrosis

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Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali, MD
Conference|European Hematology Association Congress

Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali, MD, discusses the safety and efficacy findings from the dose-escalation portion of the phase 1/2 CA011-023 trial of BMS-986158 in combination with ruxolitinib or fedratinib in patients with intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis.

Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali, MD, professor of Translational Oncology and head of the Krukenberg Cancer Center at the University Hospital of Halle (Saale) in Germany, discusses the safety and efficacy findings from the dose-escalation portion of the phase 1/2 CA011-023 trial (NCT04817007) of BMS-986158 in combination with ruxolitinib (Rituxan) or fedratinib (Inrebic) in patients with intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis.

BMS-986158 is a potent, oral BET inhibitor. In the dose-escalation phase, the agent was evaluated in combination with ruxolitinib in ruxolitinib-naïve patients for part 1A, and in combination with fedratinib in patients who were refractory/relapsed or intolerant to prior ruxolitinib for part 1B. The dose-expansion portion of the study, which will open for enrollment soon, will evaluate BMS-986158 at the recommended phase 2 dose or the previously tolerated dose in combination with ruxolitinib in parts 2A1 and 2A2, and with or without fedratinib in parts 2B1 and 2B2.

Data from the dose-escalation portion of the trial presented at the 2023 EHA Congress showed that both BMS-986158–based combinations had tolerable safety profiles, Al-Ali says. The most common adverse effects (AEs) included thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, including diarrhea and nausea. GI AEs were generally mild and did not lead to treatment discontinuation in any patients, according to Al-Ali.

Regarding efficacy, first-line BMS-986158 plus ruxolitinib led to a spleen volume reduction of at least 35% (SVR35) in 73% (95% CI, 39%-94%) of patients at week 12 (n =11), 100% (95% CI, 66%-100%) at week 24 (n = 9), and 80% (95% CI, 28%-100%) at week 48 (n = 5). The mean spleen volume change was –46.7%, –59.9%, and –56.3% at weeks 12, 24, and 48, respectively.

In those given BMS-986158 plus fedratinib in the second-line setting, the SVR35 was 38% (95% CI, 9%-76%) at week 12 (n = 8), 43% (95% CI, 10%-82%) at week 24 (n = 7), and 50% (95% CI, 1%-99%) at week 48 (n = 2). The mean change in spleen volume at weeks 12, 24, and 48 was –29.1%, -30.8%, and -33.0%, respectively.

Evidence for disease modification may have been observed in the form of JAK2 allele burden reduction, which was noted starting in cycle 6 for patients with JAK2 mutations, Al-Ali explains. Additionally, bone marrow fibrosis regression was observed in patients with follow-up bone marrow biopsies, she concludes.

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One Patient’s Point of View on “Living” with Myelofibrosis

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David told his story at the Cleveland MPN Patient Program in November

On a beautiful fall day in late August 2013, I received a call that changed the course of my life. The voice on the other end told me that they had reviewed my blood counts and determined that I had some sort of leukemia. They had pre-admitted me to the local hospital to meet an oncologist and have the necessary tests. After about two weeks I received my diagnosis of Primary Myelofibrosis, Intermediate 1. I was told that treatment options were limited and the only true cure was allogeneic bone marrow transplan

It is tempting to focus all our energies on our hope in medical interventions. But diagnosis brings fear, denial, anger, & depression. These impact your relationships and can throw you into a downward spiral. Being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease like an MPN is an existential challenge. It raises all the questions: Why are we here? What is life about? What lies beyond this life? How you answer these questions will affect how you deal with your disease and its physical effects.

We are all tempted to be sad and maybe even angry. But you do not have to give in to the negative. You can choose to respond with a positive attitude.

 

My diagnosis has changed the course of my life – but for the better. Because of myelofibrosis, I realized that I was spending far too much of my time and energy focused on some sort of future achievement. I was super-busy every day and the days passed in a blur. But myelofibrosis woke me up to the truth that life is not about some future achievement. Life is about today. Since my diagnosis, I have come to have a heightened enjoyment of the simple pleasures of daily living.

These last six years have been wonderful and I have enjoyed them more because of my disease. My son and his wife have been kind enough to give us two new grandchildren in the past four years – and I am making the most of that. I’ve made many good friends in the MPN community.  I took up motorcycle riding.  The more aware I am of my mortality – the more I savor every experience of life.

Your life only comes one day at a time. Today is the day you have – make it into something good. Refuse to let an uncertain future rob you of today’s joys.

David shared his story in the MPN Community Connection Newsletter click here to view

 

David is the support group coordinator for the northern Pennsylvania/Ohio area, if you are interested in participating you can contact us for more information. Click here to contact us.