August 30, 2024
Leonardo Jaimes
Momelotinib appears to positively impact quality of life and overall survival in patients with myelofibrosis (MF), according to a recently published study in Frontiers in Oncology.
Most MF cases are associated with JAK or CALR mutations, which lead to an uncontrolled proliferation of stem cells and a decrease in the production of red blood cells (RBCs) and thrombocytes, the researchers noted.
Stem cell transplantation is currently the only curative alternative available for patients with MF. The advent of JAK inhibitors represented a significant advancement in symptom management, but patients often observed decreased efficacy after 3 years.
Anemia is largely responsible for the decrease in quality of life seen in patients with MF and represents an important cause of treatment discontinuation, as some of the treatments used in MF can contribute to the development of anemia.
“Anemia in MF is a complex condition resulting from factors such as displacement of erythropoietic tissue by fibrotic stroma, suboptimal environments in extramedullary sites, and splenomegaly-induced RBC sequestration,” the authors wrote.
Momelotinib is an effective JAK1/2 inhibitor that can successfully treat anemia in patients with MF, decreasing the need for transfusions. It can also prevent hepcidin synthesis, which in turn leads to increased iron circulation and increased erythropoiesis.
The effectiveness of momelotinib is supported by the results of the MOMENTUM trial; the double-blind included almost 200 patients who received either momelotinib or danazol to treat MF-associated anemia. Results showed that patients who received were significantly less likely to require blood transfusions and have better Total Symptom Score than their counterparts.