The Oral JAK2/IRAK1 Inhibitor Pacritinib Demonstrates Spleen Volume Reduction in Myelofibrosis Patients Independent of JAK2V617F Allele Burden

Introduction: The presence of a molecular driver mutation such as JAK2 V617F is a major criterion for diagnosing myeloproliferative neoplasms. JAK2 V617F allelic burden (percentage of cells harboring the mutation) has been associated with varying disease phenotypes and outcomes. Myelofibrosis (MF) with low allelic burden is associated with a myelodepletive phenotype, which includes shorter overall survival, anemia, leukopenia, and lesser degree of splenomegaly. Some JAK inhibitors utilized in patients with low allelic burden (<50%) may achieve smaller spleen volume reduction (SVR), therefore, treatment of the lower allelic burden population remains clinically challenging. Pacritinib is an oral JAK2/IRAK1 inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy based on SVR from two phase 3 studies in MF patients including those with severe thrombocytopenia (PERSIST-1 [P1] and PERSIST-2 [P2]). These studies were unique in that the combined P1/P2 median allelic burden is 47% as compared to other phase 3 studies of JAK2 inhibitors with a median allelic burden >80%. To better evaluate the impact of allelic burden on pacritinib-induced SVR in MF patients, a retrospective analysis was performed on the combined data from the P1 and P2 studies. Methods: Patients ≥18 years of age with primary or secondary MF, palpable splenomegaly ≥5 cm below the left costal margin, and DIPSS risk category of intermediate-1, intermediate-2, or high-risk were eligible for the studies. Patients with any baseline platelet count were eligible for P1, while P2 included only those with baseline counts ≤100,000/μL. Prior JAK inhibitor therapy was allowed in P2, but not P1. Patients in P1 received pacritinib 400 mg once daily (QD) or best available therapy (BAT); those in P2 received pacritinib 400 mg QD, pacritinib 200 mg twice daily (BID), or BAT. In both studies, BAT consisted of physician-selected treatments for MF (including symptom-directed treatment or watch and wait); treatment with ruxolitinib was allowed as BAT only in P2. The percentage of patients achieving ≥35% SVR at week 24 was a primary endpoint for both studies. This retrospective analysis assessed those patients with JAK2 V617F for possible relationship between allelic burden and SVR at 24 weeks. Results: JAK2 V617F allelic burden data were available for 363 patients that received pacritinib and 173 patients that received BAT. 19.6% of BAT subjects received ruxolitinib during study. Pacritinib demonstrated similar SVR across all allelic burden quartiles, including the lowest quartile. In contrast, SVR responses with BAT were more frequently observed in those patients with higher allelic burden (>75-100% quartile; Figure 1). The percentage of patients with ≥35% SVR was significantly higher with pacritinib compared with BAT for those with an allele burden ≤50% (allele burden >0-25%: pacritinib=18/86 [21%], BAT=0/46, P<0.001; allele burden >25-50%: pacritinib=14/91 [15%], BAT=0/33, P=0.020); there was no significant difference in the >50-75% (pacritinib=9/53 [17%], BAT=1/26 [4%], P=0.153) and >75-100% quartiles (pacritinib=14/72 [20%], BAT=5/49 [10%], P=0.209). Conclusions: Myelofibrosis (MF) with JAK2 V617F allelic burden <50% is associated with a myelodepletive phenotype and a worse prognosis. MF patients with low allelic burden may have a non-JAK mediated disease which could explain why other JAK inhibitors have been shown to be less effective in patients with low allelic burden. Pacritinib provides similar SVR across all levels of allelic burden, including levels <50% unlike BAT (which included ruxolitinib). This data suggests that pacritinib may provide benefit over a wider range of patients with MF compared to other JAK inhibitors. Disclosures Verstovsek: Incyte: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma Corp: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding; Pharma Essentia: Research Funding; Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Ital Pharma: Research Funding; Protaganist Therapeutics: Research Funding; Constellation: Consultancy; Pragmatist: Consultancy. Scott:Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Taylor:Baxalta: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mascarenhas:Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Pharmaessentia: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Reductions in JAK2 V617F Allele Burden with Ruxolitinib Treatment in Comfort-II, a Phase 3 Study Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Ruxolitinib with Best Available Therapy (BAT)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.802.802 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 802-802 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Alessandro M. Vannucchi ◽

Francesco Passamonti ◽

Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali ◽

Giovanni Barosi ◽

Claire N Harrison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Jak2 V617f ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Allele Burden ◽

Equity Ownership

Abstract Abstract 802 Background: Ruxolitinib is a potent oral JAK1 & JAK2 inhibitor that has demonstrated superiority over traditional therapies for the treatment of MF. In the two phase 3 studies, ruxolitinib demonstrated rapid and durable reductions in splenomegaly and improved disease-related symptoms and quality of life compared with placebo (COMFORT-I) and best available therapy (BAT; COMFORT-II) for pts with or without the JAK2 V617F mutation. Change in JAK2 V617F allele burden (%V617F) as a metric of molecular response to treatment in JAK2 V617 F–positive pts was investigated as an exploratory endpoint. Previously, we reported allele burden reductions in pts receiving ruxolitinib in the COMFORT-II study and demonstrated a positive correlation with reduction in spleen volume after 24 and 48 wk of treatment (Vannucchi, et al. Haematologica.2012); here, we evaluate the correlation between changes in %V617F and spleen size reduction after 72 wk of ruxolitinib therapy. Methods: COMFORT-II is a randomized (2:1), open-label, phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib (n = 146) compared with BAT (n = 73) in pts with primary MF (PMF), post–polycythemia vera MF (PPV-MF), and post–essential thrombocythemia MF (PET-MF). Allele burden was measured from blood samples using allele-specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using the method outlined in Levine et al, 2006, using an Applied Biosystems ABI 7900 real-time PCR analyzer. Pts were stratified by absolute reduction in %V617F (< 10%, 10% to < 20%, ≥ 20%) and results were correlated with achievement and duration of a ≥ 35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Results: Overall, 110 (76%) pts in the ruxolitinib group and 49 (71%) pts in the BAT group were JAK2V617 F–positive at baseline. More pts in the ruxolitinib arm had ≥ 10% V617F reductions compared with BAT at wk 48 (Table; 41% \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(2868\) \end{document} vs 5% \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(122\) \end{document}) and at wk 72 (40% \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(2153\) \end{document} vs 0). The majority of reductions ≥ 20% were gradual and progressive over the course of the study (Figure); 2 pts had rapid initial reductions in allele burden that were sustained over 72 wk, from absolute %V617F of 48% and 45% at baseline to < 10% at wk 72. The majority of patients who achieved a ≥ 20% reduction at wk 48 maintained their reduction at wk 72. Compared with wk 48, 4 additional pts were in the ≥ 20% group at wk 72: 1 pt achieved a > 20% reduction at wk 48 but the data were not available at the time of the 48-wk analysis, 2 pts did not have data at wk 48, and 1 pt achieved a 15% reduction at wk 48 that improved to a 21% reduction by wk 72. Among pts who achieved a ≥ 20% reduction in allele burden, 39% had PMF, 39% had PPV-MF, and 22% had PET-MF; this distribution was similar to that of the overall study population. In the ruxolitinib arm, significantly more pts with a ≥ 20% V617F reduction achieved a ' 35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume compared with pts with a < 10% reduction at both wk 48 (79% vs 30%) and wk 72 (69% vs 31%). Pts with a ≥ 20% reduction in allele burden maintained their spleen volume reductions from baseline out to 72 wk. In the 10% to < 20% group, a greater proportion of pts showed increases in spleen volume from nadir but spleen volumes still remained much reduced from baseline. Conclusions: Patients who received ruxolitinib had larger reductions in JAK2 V617F allele burden compared with BAT. %V617F reductions were gradual over the course of the study and continued between wk 48 and 72 in some pts. In JAK2 V617 F–positive pts, reductions in %V617F were associated with spleen responses; in pts with a ≥ 20% reduction, spleen volume reductions were sustained out to 72 wk. These results, along with findings from COMFORT-I and the phase 1/2 study, suggest that ruxolitinib has the potential to alter the course of disease through a reduction in the burden of JAK2V671 F–mutated cells. Disclosures: Vannucchi: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Passamonti:Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Ali:Sanofi Aventi: Consultancy, Honoraria; celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria. Harrison:Shire: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; YM Bioscience: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Sirulnik:Novartis: Employment. Stalbovskaya:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Squires:Novartis : Employment. Burn:Incyte: Employment, Equity Ownership. Knoops:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cervantes:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Teva Pharmaceuticals: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Pfizer: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Celgene: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Sanofi-Aventis: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other; Novartis: AdvisoryBoard Other, Speakers Bureau. Barbui:Novartis: Honoraria. Gisslinger:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AOP Orphan Pharma AG: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Kiladjian:Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.

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Ruxolitinib for Patients (Pts) with Polycythemia Vera: Responders Vs Non-Responders As Defined in the Response Trial

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-128101 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 2947-2947

Author(s):

Srdan Verstovsek ◽

Jean-Jacques Kiladjian ◽

Monika Wroclawska ◽

Tuochuan Dong ◽

Alessandro M. Vannucchi

Keyword(s):

Polycythemia Vera ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Hematological Parameters ◽

Jak2 V617f ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Allele Burden ◽

To Receive ◽

Response Trial

Introduction: The RESPONSE trial (NCT01243944) compared ruxolitinib (Rux) and best available therapy (BAT) in pts with polycythemia vera (PV) who were intolerant of or resistant to hydroxyurea (HU) according to modified European LeukemiaNET criteria. In the primary analysis, at week (Wk) 32, 60% of (pts) randomized to Rux achieved HCT control (HCT <45%). The present analysis evaluated the effect of baseline characteristics on HCT response at Wk 32, and aimed to determine the long-term clinical efficacy of Rux in pts who did and did not achieve the protocol-defined HCT control (i.e., HCT control responders and non-responders at Wk 32) in RESPONSE at Wk 256. Methods: Adult pts with phlebotomy-dependent PV with splenomegaly, and resistant to or intolerant of HU were enrolled. Pts were randomized to receive Rux (at a starting dose of 10 mg BID) or single-agent BAT (1:1). HCT control was defined as lack of phlebotomy eligibility between Wks 8−32 with no more than 1 phlebotomy eligibility between randomization and Wk 8. Phlebotomy eligibility was based on protocol-defined HCT values (HCT > 45% and ≥ 3 percentage points higher than baseline or > 48%, whichever was lower; regardless of receipt of phlebotomy), and pts with missing data or assessments outside of protocol-defined time windows were considered non-responders. In this analysis, a logistic regression model was fitted to identify the significant baseline factors to predict HCT control response at Wk 32. Time to phlebotomy eligibility in the HCT control responders and time from the first phlebotomy eligibility to the second phlebotomy eligibility in the HCT control non-responders were plotted, and the changes in hematological parameters (HCT, WBC and platelet count), spleen volume and allele burden over time, up to Wk 256, were studied in HCT control responders and non-responders who were randomized to Rux treatment arm in RESPONSE. Results: A total of 222 pts were randomized to receive either Rux (n = 110) or BAT (n = 112). Baseline WBC (P=0.0198) and baseline JAK2 V617F allele burden (P=0.0159), were found to be predictors of the HCT response within Rux treated pt group (n = 110). In the HCT responder subgroup of the Rux arm, 23% (15/66) pts needed their first phlebotomy by Wk 256. In the HCT non-responder subgroup of the Rux arm, out of 28 patients who experienced their first phlebotomy between Wk 8 and Wk 32, 64% (18/28) of pts required subsequent phlebotomy by Wk 256, with a median duration of 28.4 Wks (12.7, NA). Pts receiving Rux demonstrated controlled hematologic parameters (HCT, WBC, and platelets) over the course of study, regardless of whether they were HCT control responders and HCT control non-responders at Wk 32. From Wk 48 to Wk 80, 97% HCT control responder pts and 84% HCT control non-responder pts of the Rux treatment arm required no phlebotomies. From Wk 80 to Wk 256, 91% and 68% of the evaluable pts in the Rux treatment arm remained phlebotomy-free for HCT control responders and non-responders, respectively. By Wk 256, spleen volume on an average was reduced from baseline by approximately 35% and 50% for HCT control responders and non-responders, respectively. In pts with available assessments, allele burden on an average was reduced approximately from 80% at baseline to 55% at Wk 256 in the HCT control responders, and approximately from 70% at baseline to 40% at Wk 256 in the HCT control non-responders. Conclusions: The results from present analysis demonstrated that the benefits of the Rux treatment were not limited to pts who achieved HCT control at Wk 32. Patients treated with Rux were able to maintain hematological parameters, spleen volume reduction, and JAK2 V617F allele burden reduction for a longer duration (up to 5 years), regardless of whether they were HCT control responders or non-responders at Wk 32. Disclosures Verstovsek: Constellation: Consultancy; Pragmatist: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma Corp: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding; Pharma Essentia: Research Funding; Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Ital Pharma: Research Funding; Protaganist Therapeutics: Research Funding. Kiladjian:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; AOP Orphan: Honoraria, Research Funding. Wroclawska:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment. Dong:Novartis: Employment. Vannucchi:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Long-Term Efficacy and Safety in COMFORT-II, a Phase 3 Study Comparing Ruxolitinib with Best Available Therapy for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis: 5-Year Final Study Results

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.59.59 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 59-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Claire N. Harrison ◽

Alessandro M. Vannucchi ◽

Jean-Jacques Kiladjian ◽

Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali ◽

Heinz Gisslinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Final Study ◽

Study Results

Abstract BACKGROUND: Ruxolitinib (RUX) is a potent JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor that has demonstrated rapid and durable improvements in splenomegaly and symptoms as well as improved survival in the two phase 3 COMFORT studies in patients (pts) with myelofibrosis (MF). In COMFORT-II, significantly more pts achieved the primary endpoint (a ≥ 35% decrease in spleen volume from baseline at wk 48) with RUX compared with best available therapy (BAT) (28% vs 0%; P ˂ .0001). The 3-year follow-up confirmed that spleen volume reductions were sustained and RUX treatment remained tolerable with long-term use. Here, we report final study results on longer-term safety and efficacy after 5 years of RUX treatment in COMFORT-II. METHODS: COMFORT-II is a randomized (2:1), open-label phase 3 study of RUX vs BAT in pts with intermediate-2- or high-risk primary MF, post-PV MF, or post-ET MF. Pts initially received RUX 15 or 20 mg bid based on their platelet counts at baseline (100-200 and > 200 x 109/L, respectively), and doses were individually titrated to maximize safety and efficacy. Pts were allowed to cross over from the BAT arm to receive RUX upon protocol-defined progression (primarily progressive splenomegaly, a ≥ 25% increase in spleen volume from on-study nadir). All pts randomized to BAT had crossed over or discontinued by Nov 2011. The date of final database lock for the study is 20 Apr 2015. RESULTS: Pts were randomized to RUX (n = 146) or BAT (n = 73). Baseline characteristics were well balanced between arms and have been described previously (Harrison, N Engl J Med, 2012); disease and hematologic characteristics were representative of a population of pts with advanced primary or secondary MF. At study completion (median follow-up, 4.3 years), 39 pts (26.7%) in the RUX arm and 11 of the 45 pts (24.4%) who crossed over from BAT completed 5 years of on-study treatment. Primary reasons for premature discontinuation before 5 years were adverse events (AEs; 24.0%) and disease progression (21.9%) in the RUX arm and withdrawal of consent and other in the BAT arm (12.3% each). Overall 78 pts (53.4%) in the RUX arm achieved a ≥ 35% reduction in spleen volume from baseline at any time during treatment; the median duration of maintenance of spleen volume reduction was 3.2 years. The K-M estimated probability of maintaining this reduction was 0.51 (95% CI, 0.38-0.62) at 3 years and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.35-0.60) at 5 years. Approximately one-third of evaluable JAK2 V617F-positive pts had a ˃ 20% reduction in allele burden at 3.2 years (38.3%) and 3.7 years (31.0%). With RUX treatment, 23 pts (15.8%) had improved fibrosis (including 4 who improved to grade 0 from baseline fibrosis grades of 1 [n = 1], 2 [n = 2], and 3 [n = 1]), 47 pts (32.2%) had stable fibrosis, and 27 (18.5%) had a worsening at their last assessment. There was no relevant increase in the incidence of AEs with longer exposure (median: RUX arm, 2.6 years; BAT arm, 0.87 years; RUX after crossover, 1.2 years) compared with previous reports. The most commonly reported AEs in pts who received RUX any time (randomized treatment, extension phase or after cross over from BAT) were thrombocytopenia (52.4%), anemia (49.2%), diarrhea (35.6%), and peripheral edema (33.0%); grade 3/4 AEs included anemia (22.5%), thrombocytopenia (15.2%), pneumonia (5.8%), general physical health deterioration (4.2%), and dyspnea (4.2%). 8 pts (5.5%) and 5 pts (6.8%) developed leukemia in the RUX and BAT arms, respectively. There were no new or unexpected AEs. Overall, 59 (40.4%) and 35 (47.9%) deaths were reported in the RUX and BAT arms, respectively. Median OS was not reached in the RUX arm and was 4.1 years in the BAT arm. There was a 33% reduction in risk of death with RUX compared with BAT (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.44-1.02; P = .06). The K-M estimated probability of survival at 5 years was 56% with RUX and 44% with BAT. As expected, the confounding effect on OS of crossover from BAT to RUX became apparent in this extended follow up compared with previous analyses; an analysis of OS correcting for crossover will be presented. SUMMARY/CONCLUSIONS: The immediate benefits of RUX treatment, such as improvements in spleen size, were maintained with long-term therapy. The previously reported OS benefit was maintained, although results are confounded by extensive crossover from the BAT arm following the primary analysis at wk 48, which becomes more apparent with longer follow-up. Long term safety and tolerability was consistent with previous findings. Disclosures Harrison: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Speakers Bureau. Vannucchi:Shire: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Other: Research Funding paid to institution (University of Florence), Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Baxalta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kiladjian:Incyte Corporation: Consultancy; Novartis: Other: Travel grant; Research Funding paid to institution (Hôpital Saint-Louis et Université Paris Diderot); Novartis: Consultancy. Al-Ali:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Gisslinger:AOP ORPHAN: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen Cilag: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Geron: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi Aventis: Consultancy. Knoops:Novartis: Consultancy. Cervantes:Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; CTI-Baxter: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi-Aventis: Consultancy. Jones:Incyte Corporation: Employment. Sun:Incyte Corporation: Employment. Descamps:Novartis Pharma S.A.S: Employment. Stalbovskaya:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gopalakrishna:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment. Barbui:Novartis: Speakers Bureau.

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A Pooled Overall Survival (OS) Analysis of 5-Year Data from the COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II Trials of Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis (MF)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3110.3110 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 3110-3110 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Srdan Verstovsek ◽

Vikas Gupta ◽

Jason R. Gotlib ◽

Ruben A. Mesa ◽

Alessandro M. Vannucchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Equity Ownership

Abstract Background:The Janus kinase (JAK) 1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has been evaluated for patients with MF in the phase 3 COMFORT studies. In both trials, ruxolitinib prolonged OS, reduced splenomegaly, and improved MF-related symptoms and quality of life compared with controls. Here, we report the results of an exploratory pooled analysis of OS in the COMFORT studies at 5 years of follow-up. Methods: The double-blind COMFORT-I trial and the open-label COMFORT-II trial were randomized phase 3 studies that evaluated the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients with intermediate-2 (int-2) or high-risk primary MF (PMF), post-polycythemia vera MF (PPV-MF), or post-essential thrombocythemia MF (PET-MF). The comparator was placebo in COMFORT-I and best available therapy (BAT) in COMFORT-II. The ruxolitinib starting dose was 15 or 20 mg twice daily based on baseline platelet counts (100-200 and >200 × 109/L, respectively); dose modifications were permitted for safety and efficacy. Patients were allowed to cross over to ruxolitinib from the control arm for progressive splenomegaly, defined as a ≥25% increase in spleen volume from baseline (COMFORT-I) or study nadir (COMFORT-II), or select protocol-defined progression events; crossover was mandatory following treatment unblinding in COMFORT-I. OS was a secondary endpoint in both studies and was evaluated in an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model that estimated the treatment effect stratified by clinical trial and International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk. The crossover-corrected treatment effect was estimated using a rank-preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) method. Results: Overall, 528 patients were randomized: 301 to ruxolitinib (COMFORT-I, n=155; COMFORT-II, n=146) and 227 to placebo (n=154) or BAT (n=73). All ongoing patients in the control arms crossed over to ruxolitinib by the 3-year follow-up. Patient populations were similar between the two trials and their details were previously published. In the combined ruxolitinib group, 162 patients (53.8%) had high-risk MF and 139 (46.2%) had int-2 risk MF based on IPSS criteria. At the 5-year ITT analysis, 128 patients (42.5%) died in the ruxolitinib group compared with 117 (51.5%) in the control group. The risk of death was reduced by 30% with ruxolitinib compared with control (median OS: ruxolitinib, 63.5 mo; control, 45.9 mo; HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54-0.91; P=0.0065; Figure A). After correcting for crossover using RPSFT, OS advantage was more pronounced for patients originally randomized to ruxolitinib (median OS: ruxolitinib, 63.5 mo; control, 27 mo; HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23-0.59; Figure B). An analysis of OS censoring patients at the time of crossover also demonstrated that ruxolitinib prolonged survival compared with control (median OS: ruxolitinib, 63.5 mo; control, 28.3 mo; HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36−0.78; P=0.0013; Figure C). Among all patients treated with ruxolitinib, those with lower-risk disease had longer survival compared with those with high-risk disease (median OS: int-2, not reached [estimated, 102 mo]; high-risk, 50 mo; HR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.95-4.20; P<0.0001; Figure D). In a subgroup analysis, OS favored ruxolitinib compared with placebo for patients with int-2 or high-risk MF (data not shown). At 5 years, median OS appeared to favor patients with int-2 (n=58) or high-risk (n=89) PMF who were originally randomized to ruxolitinib compared with historical (Cervantes et al; J Clin Oncol 30:2981-2987) controls (int-2 PMF, not reached [estimated, 70 mo] vs 48 mo; high-risk PMF, 34 vs 27 mo); OS was longer among patients with int-2 vs high-risk PMF (P=0.0003). Subgroup analyses showed that ruxolitinib provided an OS advantage regardless of age (>65 or ≤65 y), sex, disease type (PMF, PPV-MF, PET-MF), risk status (int-2 or high), JAK2V617F mutation status, baseline spleen volume (>10 or ≤10 cm), anemia, white blood cell count (>25 or ≤25 × 109L), or platelet count (>200 or ≤200 × 109/L). Conclusion: Long-term treatment with ruxolitinib up to 5 years prolonged survival in patients with MF compared with BAT or placebo. Corrections for patients who crossed over to ruxolitinib suggested that the separation between ruxolitinib and control OS curves was primarily caused by a delay in ruxolitinib treatment. The results suggest that earlier treatment with ruxolitinib may provide a greater survival advantage for patients with MF. Disclosures Gupta: Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Mesa:Incyte: Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Galena: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding. Vannucchi:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Kiladjian:AOP Orphan: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Cervantes:AOP Orphan: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Baxalta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Sun:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gao:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Dong:Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Naim:Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gopalakrishna:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment, Equity Ownership. Harrison:Incyte Corporation: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Baxaltra: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

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An Individual Patient Supply Program for Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Patients with Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF), Post-Polycythemia Vera Myelofibrosis (PPV-MF), or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia Myelofibrosis (PET-MF).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2844.2844 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 2844-2844

Author(s):

Giovanni Barosi ◽

Mohan Agarwal ◽

Sonja Zweegman ◽

Wolfgang Willenbacher ◽

Sima Pakstyte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polycythemia Vera ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Essential Thrombocythemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Jak2 V617f ◽

Primary Myelofibrosis ◽

Jak2 V617f Mutation ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

The Us

Abstract Abstract 2844 Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms, including PMF, PET-MF, and PPV-MF, are a group of clonal stem cell–derived diseases characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, and debilitating constitutional symptoms. Ruxolitinib (rux), a potent oral JAK1 & 2 inhibitor, demonstrated rapid and durable reductions in splenomegaly and improved MF-related symptoms and quality of life in 2 phase 3 studies (COMFORT-I and -II). Due to unmet medical need, rux has been made available through an individual patient supply program (IPSP) outside the US. Methods: Patients (pts) with PMF, PPV-MF, or PET-MF requiring treatment (as determined by their physician) and classified as high-, intermediate (int)-2–, or int-1–risk with an enlarged spleen were evaluated for eligibility on an individual basis by the sponsor, irrespective of JAK2 mutation status. The starting dose of rux was determined on the basis of baseline platelet count (15 or 20 mg twice daily for pts with platelet counts of 100–200 × 109/L and > 200 × 109/L, respectively) and can be adjusted for efficacy and safety. Dose changes during treatment, adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs) are registered throughout the program. Results: To date, 1339 requests have been received from > 800 physicians in 48 countries, including locations in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. The baseline characteristics are shown in the Table for pts whose requests for access were approved (n = 1240). Drug resupply requests are received every ≈ 3 months. Follow-up information, based on the first resupply request, was available for 381/639 (60%) of the pts who were enrolled in the program prior to February 2012; 303 (80%) remain on rux therapy, 37 (10%) have discontinued, 11 (3%) died, and 30 (8%) did not initiate therapy. Spleen response was available for 247 pts (decreased, n = 201; unchanged, n = 39; increased, n = 7). Changes in constitutional symptoms were available for 203 pts (decreased, n = 151; unchanged, n = 49; increased, n = 3). In pts enrolled in the IPSP undergoing rux treatment, most pts who had a decrease in spleen length also had a decrease in symptoms. Dose-modification information was available for 259 pts, of whom 44 had dose increases and 89 had dose decreases. Reasons for dose modifications included efficacy (n = 28), safety (n = 69), and other reasons (n = 36). Safety information was available for 266 pts; 75 reported significant AEs or SAEs as determined by investigators. Enrolled pt characteristics are generally similar to those expected in the overall MF pt population. Thus far, the proportion of pts enrolled in the IPSP with the JAK2 V617F mutation (73%) is higher than that for the general MF population (50%-60%). This may reflect a misconception that JAK inhibition is primarily effective in pts who have the JAK2 V617F mutation, when in fact rux has demonstrated similar efficacy in both pt types in the phase 1/2 251 study and the two phase 3 COMFORT trials. This may also be reflected in the higher proportion of PPV-MF pts in the IPSP than in the general MF population (28% vs 10%-15%), of whom 95% are JAK2 V617 F–positive. Conclusions: Considerable requests for access to rux have been received through the IPSP, highlighting the need for an effective treatment in pts with a range of IPSS risk-assessment scores. The demographics of the IPSP pts are similar to those expected in the overall MF population. Responses and safety patterns observed in the IPSP appear to be comparable to those from the COMFORT trials. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Jakafi™ (ruxolitinib) is indicated in the United States for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, including primary myelofibrosis, post–polycythemia vera myelofibrosis and post–essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis. In Canada, JAKAVI ® is indicated for the treatment of splenomegaly and/or its associated symptoms in adult patients with primary myelofibrosis (also known as chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis), post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis or post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis. This abstract reports on a clinical study conducted outside the US including patients of all risk categories. All patients have provided written informed consent. Zweegman:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Willenbacher:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Raymakers:Novartis: Consultancy. Cantoni:CSL Behring Switzerland: Research Funding; Robapharm/Pierre Fabre Oncology Switzerland: Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag Switzerland: Consultancy; Novartis Oncology Switzerland: Consultancy, Research Funding. Modi:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment. Khan:Novartis: Employment. Perez:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gisslinger:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Lavie:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Harrison:Sanofi Aventis: Honoraria; YM Bioscience: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Honoraria, Research Funding.

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Imetelstat Rapidly Induces and Maintains Substantial Hematologic and Molecular Responses in Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) Who Are Refractory or Intolerant to Prior Therapy: Preliminary Phase II Results

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.179.179 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 179-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gabriela M. Baerlocher ◽

Elisabeth Oppliger Leibundgut ◽

Christina Ayran ◽

Martha Blaney ◽

Bart Burington ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Maintenance Therapy ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Essential Thrombocythemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Jak2 V617f ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Allele Burden ◽

Prior Therapy

Abstract Abstract 179 Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), such as essential thrombocythemia (ET), are driven by neoplastic progenitor cells. The JAK2 V617F mutation can be detected in approximately 50% of patients (pts) with ET, and the JAK2 V617F allele burden can be used to measure the treatment-induced molecular response (MR) over time. Telomerase is upregulated in neoplastic progenitor cells and sustains indefinite replication. Imetelstat is a first in class, potent, specific inhibitor of telomerase which selectively distributes to bone marrow and inhibits thrombopoiesis. In vitro studies demonstrate that imetelstat selectively inhibits spontaneous megakaryocytic colony-forming unit (CFU-Meg) growth from the blood of pts with ET but not from healthy individuals. Phase I studies have demonstrated that imetelstat inhibits telomerase activity in pts at doses of 7.5 mg/kg and above. Therefore, unlike conventional cytoreductive therapy and JAK2 kinase inhibitors, imetelstat may be uniquely able to selectively inhibit proliferation of neoplastic clonogenic cells in pts with ET and modify the biology and progression of the disease. Methods: A phase II study enrolled pts with ET who had failed or were intolerant to at least one prior therapy, or who refused standard therapy. Pts were treated with imetelstat 7.5 mg/kg or 9.4 mg/kg IV weekly. After attainment of best platelet response in the induction phase, maintenance dosing with imetelstat was commenced with dosing based upon platelet count. Primary endpoint was best overall hematologic response (HR) with complete response (CR) defined as platelet count <400 × 103/μl maintained for at least 4 consecutive weeks in the absence of new thromboembolic events. A key secondary endpoint was rate of MR in patients with JAK2 V617F molecular mutations. JAK2 V617F allele burden was measured by allele-specific quantitative real-time PCR with a limit of detection of 0.1%. CFU-Meg growth pre- and post-treatment and tolerability were also assessed. Results: As of July 9, 2012, 13 pts were treated. Median age was 60 yrs (range 21–83) with a median of 2 prior treatments (range 1–3). Median years since initial diagnosis were 5.8 (range 0.3 to 24.9) and initial platelet count was 809 × 103/μl (range 601 to 1359 × 103/μl). Best overall HR was 100%, with 11 of 13 pts achieving a confirmed CR after a median of 6.1 weeks (range 5.1 to 14.1 wks). Twelve of 13 pts remain on maintenance therapy (median time on study 26.1 weeks) and despite transient elevations of platelets above best response, pts continue to be responsive to imetelstat. Four pts have reached 1 year of therapy and continue to be treated with ongoing HR. Dosing frequency on maintenance therapy was generally reduced with time. A substantial decrease in JAK2 V617F allele burden was demonstrated in all 5 JAK2 V617F-positive pts (mean allele burden reduction of 82%; range of 59–94%, see table below). Four pts who were eligible for MR assessment by LeukemiaNetcriteria (initial JAKV617F allele burden >10%) reached molecular partial responses (PR): one pt after 12 weeks, which has been maintained through 1 year, and 3 other pts at 24, 36 and 48 weeks of therapy. One additional pt with JAK2 V617F levels of 4.8% prior to therapy has also had a 75% reduction after 12 weeks of treatment. A reduction in the spontaneous growth of CFU-Meg was also observed in the 2 pts tested, with 93% and 96% reduction from baseline, respectively. Long-term administration of imetelstat was generally well tolerated. Common adverse events reported on therapy were mild to moderate gastrointestinal toxicities, reductions in neutrophil counts, and fatigue. Conclusions: Imetelstat rapidly induces and maintains hematologic responses in pts with ET who have failed or are intolerant to conventional therapies. Importantly, substantial MR is observed in all JAK2 V617F-positive pts and inhibition of the neoplastic clonogenic growth ex-vivo is demonstrated. The reduction in JAK2 V617F allele burden and cytokine-independent growth of CFU-Meg suggests that imetelstat has a relatively selective inhibitory effect on the growth of the neoplastic clone(s) which drive ET and has the potential to modify the underlying biology of MPNs. Additional data will be presented from this ongoing study. Disclosures: Baerlocher: Geron Corporation: Research Funding. Oppliger Leibundgut:Geron Corporation: Research Funding. Ayran:Geron Corporation: Employment. Blaney:Geron Corporation: Employment. Burington:Geron Corporation: Employment. Morfeld:Geron Corporation: Employment. Odenike:Sanofi Aventis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Reddy:Geron Corporation: Employment. Roeth:Geron Corporation: Research Funding. Stuart:OncoMed Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Geron Corporation: Consultancy, Employment.

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Complete Clinical, Histopathologic and Molecular Remission of Primary Myelofibrosis with Long-Term Treatment with the JAK1/2 Inhibitor Ruxolitinib

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.1836.1836 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 1836-1836 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali ◽

Karolin Hubert ◽

Thoralf Lange ◽

Udo Siebolts ◽

Claudia Wichenhauser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Jak2 V617f ◽

Primary Myelofibrosis ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Allele Burden ◽

Night Sweats ◽

Marrow Fibrosis

Abstract The JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (RUX) is effective in decreasing symptomatic splenomegaly, and constitutional symptoms in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Long-term data suggest that treatment with RUX is associated with a survival benefit, and may delay/reverse bone marrow fibrosis. Further, a ≥ 20% reduction in JAK2 V617F allele burden with RUX has been described (Vannucchi et al. Blood. 2012). Yet, many uncertainties surrounding the full clinical potential of RUX persist. The conceivable disease-modifying impact including the achievement of a JAK2 V617F molecular remission under sustained JAK1/JAK2 inhibition in a patient with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is presented. Patient and Methods: the diagnosis of JAK2 V617F-positive PMF according to the 2008 WHO criteria was made in a 50-years old caucasian male in February 2009. On the first consultation in November, 2009, he complained of fatigue and night sweats. Spleen was 12 cm below costal margin by palpation. Laboratory results were: Hb 153 g/L, WBC 18.9 x109/L, platelets 268 x109/L, peripheral blasts 2%, a leucoerythroblastic blood picture, LDH 10.6 µkat/L [2.8x upper limit of normal]. With an IPSS of 2 points (night sweats and peripheral blasts > 1%) the IPSS risk category for survival was intermediate-II. After signing informed consent, the patient was included in the phase 3, multicenter COMFORT-II trial and randomized to treatment with RUX at a dose of 20mg bid based on platelets count. By week (w) 4, the dose was increased to 25mg bid per protocol (< 40% reduction is palpable spleen length). For efficacy and safety evaluations, serial clinical, spleen volume [by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], blood picture, blood chemistry, bone marrow trephine biopsy, and JAK2 V617F allele burden from both peripheral blood samples as well as bone marrow assessments were conducted. The histology of the biopsies was evaluated according to the WHO criteria by experienced pathologists (Table). The JAK2 V617F allele burden was measured from blood samples using allele-specific oligonucleotide quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with a dynamic detection range from 0.1 to100% mutated allele (Lange et al. Haematologica 2013) and from bone marrow samples via qPCR followed by pyrosequencing for determining the allelic burden with a sensitivity of 5% of mutated DNA. If necessary, blocking of the non-mutated allele for sensitivity enhancement from 5% up to 0,001% of mutated DNA was done (Siebolts et al. J Clin Pathol 2010). Results: After a follow-up of 240 weeks, treatment with 25mg bid is ongoing. No dose modification/interruption because of adverse events was required. Clinical response was rapid with a 52% reduction in baseline spleen volume from 3.77 L to 1.8 L and improvement in constitutional symptoms at w 12. This was followed by a further decline in spleen volume. By w 216, spleen volume was 0.5 L which corresponded to 85.5% reduction from baseline (Figure). WBC and LDH normalized by w 24 and w 84 respectively. Histologic improvement in marrow cellularity, megakaryocytic, and granulocytic lineages was first evident at w 126 with further reversal of MF-related abnormalities including marrow fibrosis by w 216 (Table). JAK2 V617F allele burden of < 10% in a peripheral blood sample and < 1% in the bone marrow were first documented at w 108 and w 132 respectively. As of w 216, an allele burden <1% was sustained in both blood and marrow samples (Figure). Conclusions: The rapid symptomatic improvement with ruxolitinib could be followed by a considerable MF-modifying response with the potential to alter the course of disease and prognosis. Unlike targeted therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia, ruxolitinib-delivered molecular and histologic remissions could be gradual, and progressive. Whether such deep long-term responses are dose-dependent is not yet known. Thus, the full potential of a sustained JAK1/JAK2 inhibition needs to be elucidated by carefully analyzing the possible correlation between dose, short-term spleen responses and long-term molecular and histologic responses; both in retro- and prospective studies. Changes in marrow histology and spleen volume under ruxolitinib Table 1. Marrow Cellularity % Megakaryocyte Granulocytic ProliferationG:E Marrow Fibrosis (EUMNET) Spleen volume (L)ProliferationAtypiaBaseline100%+++++++++8:1PMF13.8Week 4880%+++++++5:1PMF21.2Week 12630%+++-1:3PMF10.6Week 21640%-+-3:1PMF00.5 Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Al-Ali: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Lange:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Prashanth:Novartis: Employment. Niederwieser:Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gentium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

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Efficacy and Safety of Ravulizumab in Older Patients Aged >65 Years with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in the 301 and 302 Phase 3 Extension Studies

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-140777 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 42-43

Author(s):

Regis Peffault De Latour ◽

Jeffrey Szer ◽

Austin Kulasekararaj ◽

Jin Seok Kim ◽

Caroline I. Piatek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Older Patients ◽

Research Funding ◽

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria ◽

Complement Inhibitor ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Treatment Naïve ◽

Secondary Endpoints

Background: In the two largest phase 3 studies in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), ravulizumab given every 8 weeks was noninferior to eculizumab given every 2 weeks across all efficacy endpoints. Data on efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in patients aged >65 years with PNH are limited. Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in patients with PNH aged >65 years with those aged ≤65 years. Methods: The population included patients from two phase 3 studies that assessed ravulizumab vs eculizumab in complement-inhibitor-naïve (301; NCT02946463) and -experienced (302; NCT03056040) adults with PNH. In study 301, patients were aged ≥18 years with a confirmed PNH diagnosis by flow cytometry and had a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level ≥1.5x upper limit of normal (ULN; 246U/L). In study 302, patients were aged ≥18 years with a confirmed PNH diagnosis by flow cytometry, were clinically stable on eculizumab having received ≥6 months of treatment and had a LDH level ≤1.5x ULN. Patients were randomized to either ravulizumab or eculizumab for 26 weeks after which all received ravulizumab up to 52 weeks. This prespecified analysis stratified patients by age: ≤65 or >65 years. Primary endpoints included percentage change in LDH from baseline to weeks 26 and 52, percentage of patients achieving LDH-normalization (LDH-N; LDH levels: ≤1x ULN) at weeks 26 and 52 and transfusion avoidance (TA) from baseline to weeks 26 and 52. Breakthrough hemolysis (BTH), hemoglobin (Hgb) stabilization and FACIT-fatigue score were secondary endpoints. Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed as an indicator of safety. Results: A total of 58 patients aged >65 years and 383 patients aged ≤65 years were included. Disposition and medical history were similar among subgroups at baseline (Table 1). Results for primary and secondary endpoints for the two subgroups were comparable across studies and efficacy was maintained through 52 weeks. A higher proportion of treatment-experienced patients (>65 years) achieved all endpoints vs -naïve patients (Table 2). The percentage change in LDH levels from baseline to 26 and 52 weeks was similar between subgroups in study 301 (-66.5 to -80.0%) whereas in study 302, LDH levels remained stable in all subgroups up to 52 weeks (-3.7 to 22%). The percentage of patients achieving LDH-N in both studies at 26 and 52 weeks differed; 43.8-63.9% of patients aged ≤65 years achieved LDH-N compared with 21.4-77.8% of patients aged >65 years. A higher proportion of older treatment-experienced patients (57.1‒77.8%) achieved LDH-N compared with older treatment-naive patients (21.4‒50.0%) at 26 and 52 weeks. In patients aged ≤65 years in both studies, 63.7‒89.4% achieved TA. In the >65 years subgroup, 14.3‒50.0% of treatment-naive patients achieved TA whereas in study 302, 54.5‒72.7% of patients achieved TA. The number of BTH events was low, with no events reported in older patients to date. Hgb stabilization was consistent in the ≤65 year subgroup between the studies; a higher proportion of older patients in study 302 (45.5‒71.4%) achieved stabilized Hgb compared with older patients in study 301 (14.3‒35.3%). A clinically significant 3-point change was seen in FACIT-fatigue scores (indicating improvements in fatigue), with higher scores observed for ravulizumab in both subgroups (Figure 1). One patient discontinued the extension of study 301 due to lung cancer onset during the 26-week period and died following discontinuation. Headache was the most frequent TEAE. The incidence of TEAEs reported during ravulizumab treatment up to 52 weeks did not increase vs the 26-week period, with few events (Table 3) and no difference between subgroups. Conclusions: We present clinical outcomes in the largest cohort of patients with PNH (>65 years) on ravulizumab in a clinical trial setting to date. Ravulizumab was associated with similar efficacy and safety in both age subgroups and showed consistent and durable efficacy through 52 weeks of treatment. A higher proportion of patients in study 302 achieved all efficacy endpoints than in study 301, which can be due to patients' prior complement inhibitor experience. This observation was more evident in older patients. There were no BTH events in the older patients to date, and the number of infections in both subgroups was low. Ravulizumab was well tolerated in older patients with no additional safety concerns compared to younger patients. Disclosures Peffault De Latour: Apellis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Szer:Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Apellis: Consultancy; Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Prevail Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kulasekararaj:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kim:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding. Piatek:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kulagin:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Hill:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Current Employment. Wang:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Current Employment. Yu:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Current Employment. Ogawa:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Current Employment. Schrezenmeier:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding. Lee:Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

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Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Variation During Carfilzomib Treatment Is Associated to Best Response in Multiple Myeloma.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.2865.2865 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 2865-2865 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maurizio Zangari ◽

Latha Polavaram ◽

Fenghuang Zhan ◽

Guido J. Tricot ◽

Ravi Vij ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Single Agent ◽

Proteasome Inhibitors ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Two Phase ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Best Response ◽

Ortho Biotech

Abstract Abstract 2865 Poster Board II-841 BACKGROUND: The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which has been shown to be an essential cellular degradative system in myeloma cells, can also regulate bone formation through its effects on osteoblast differentiation. Retrospective analysis of variation of ALP during treatment with bortezomib indicates a close correlation between myeloma response and serum ALP levels which multiple studies have shown to be of bone origin. To determine if this effect is a class effect of proteasome inhibitors (PIs), this retrospective study analyzed variation of ALP in relationship to myeloma response during treatment with carfilzomib, the first in a new class of selective epoxyketone PIs that has demonstrated encouraging safety and efficacy in two phase 2 studies of relapsed or refractory myeloma patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of serum ALP was performed on relapsed or refractory myeloma patients enrolled on two phase 2 studies (PX-171-003 and PX- 171-004) evaluating the safety and efficacy of single agent carfilzomib. We analyzed data from 38 patients in the first cohort of the PX-171-003 study, a relapsed and refractory myeloma trial for patients who have received ≥ 3 prior therapies including bortezomib and an IMiD and 29 patients in PX-171-004, a relapsed or refractory myeloma trial that included bortezomib naïve patients. All patients received 20 mg/m2 of carfilzomib on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of a 28-day cycle. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were enrolled. The median age was 63 years with a median time since diagnosis of 4.6 years, 52% were male, 84.% had relapsed after autologous transplants, 82.% were previously exposed to bortezomib, and 92% were previously exposed to an IMiD. Sixty seven patients with ALP data were evaluable for response. In PX-171-003 the ORR (≥PR) was 18% and the clinical benefit response (CBR; ≥MR) was 26%, while in PX-171-004 the ORR was 35.5% overall and 57% in bortezomib naive patients. ALP increment from baseline, which was most evident during the second cycle of treatment, was statistically different in patients who achieved ≥VGPR compared to all others on Days 1 (P=0.0049) and 8 (P=0.006) of Cycle 2. In all patients achieving a VGPR or better, ALP increased more than 15 units per liter at Cycle 2 Day 1 over baseline An ALP increase over the same period of time was seen in 26 %, 13%, and 11% of patients achieving PR, MR, and SD, respectively. None of the patients with progressive disease exhibited a similar increase. Our study indicates that response first assessed on Day 15 of Cycle 1 parallels the ALP elevation which returned to baseline levels at the end of Cycle 3. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis on a subset of patients in these ongoing phase 2 studies of single agent carfilzomib in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma suggests that elevation in ALP may be associated with best response. Taken with previous publications describing bortezomib treatment, these results suggest that this specific anabolic bone phenomenon could be a class effect of proteasome inhibitors. These phase 2 studies are ongoing with a higher dose of carfilzomib (27 mg/m2) being evaluated. The data from this small subset analysis suggests that further exploration of this relationship is warranted. Disclosures: Zangari: Milllennium: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; OrthoBiotech: Honoraria; Optum Health: Honoraria; Educational Concepts Group, LLC: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vij:Proteolix: Consultancy, Research Funding. Jagannath:Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria. Siegel:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Stewart:Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Proteolix: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Wang:Proteolix: Honoraria, Research Funding. Belch:Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Research Funding. Jakubowiak:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Centocor Ortho Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Exelixis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Trudel:Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Ortho Biotech: Honoraria. Bahlis:Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Lonial:Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Gloucester: Research Funding. Singhal:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Speakers Bureau.

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Evaluation of Bleeding-Related Episodes in Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Treated with Romiplostim in Two Phase 3 Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.891.891 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 891-891 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ilene Ceil Weitz ◽

Miguel A Sanz ◽

David H. Henry ◽

Martin Schipperus ◽

Bertrand Godeau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Rescue Medication ◽

Bleeding Event ◽

Bleeding Events ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Platelet Counts ◽

Chronic Itp

Abstract Abstract 891 Background: Chronic Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by low platelet counts and increased risk of bleeding. Rescue medications used to treat or prevent bleeding produce transient increases in platelet counts but may be associated with additional toxicities and costs. Romiplostim, approved for the treatment of adult chronic ITP, is a TPO mimetic peptibody protein that increases platelet production. Previously published data from phase 3 romiplostim trials showed that despite the increased use of rescue medication in the placebo arm, patient (pt) incidence of bleeding was reduced in the romiplostim arm vs placebo arm: 15% vs 34% (p = 0.02) for bleeding of grade ≥2 severity and 7% vs 12% (p=0.36) for grade ≥3 severity. Objective: To evaluate the effects of romiplostim treatment on bleeding outcomes in the phase 3 placebo controlled studies in chronic ITP pts with and without previous splenectomy. Bleeding events were captured as adverse events making it difficult to identify a single event reported multiple times versus persistent or recurrent bleeding. Further, we have developed a composite endpoint, termed bleeding-related episodes (BREs), which combines bleeding events and rescue medication administration to account for use of rescue medications to prevent bleeding. Methods: Adults with chronic ITP and a mean baseline platelet count <30 × 109/L were eligible. The previously published studies were conducted separately in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized populations. Pts were randomized (2:1) to receive romiplostim or placebo by subcutaneous injection once weekly for 24 weeks, with dose adjustments to maintain platelet counts between 50-200 × 109/L. Rescue medications were permitted to treat or prevent bleeding and included immunoglobulins, platelet transfusions, corticosteroids, or an increase in dose or frequency of a concurrent ITP medication. A BRE was defined as an actual bleeding event and/or the use of rescue medication. To collapse related events into episodes, events (bleeding events and/or the use of rescue medication) that occurred concurrently or within 3 days of each other were considered a single BRE. Bleeding events beginning 7 or more days after the start of the initial bleeding event were considered a new BRE. To account for differences in time spent on-study, rates of BRE per 100 pt-weeks were calculated. Results: A total of 125 pts (41 placebo, 84 romiplostim) were enrolled in the two studies. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the placebo and romiplostim-treated groups. During the treatment period, the rate of BREs was lower in the romiplostim group than in the placebo group, and results were consistent between splenectomized and nonsplenectomized pts (Table). Across both studies, the rate of BREs was reduced by 55% in pts receiving romiplostim compared to those receiving placebo (95% CI, 41% to 65%). BREs were more frequent at platelet counts <50 × 109/L (Table). BREs associated with hospitalizations were less common among romiplostim- than placebo-treated pts, and occurred at platelet counts <50 × 109/L in 10 of 11 cases. Corticosteroids (58 romiplostim, 38 placebo) and immunoglobulins (30 romiplostim, 73 placebo), were the most commonly used rescue medications and the rate of BREs including immunoglobulins was reduced by 88% in pts receiving romiplostim compared to placebo. Conclusions: In adults with chronic ITP, romiplostim was associated with a significant reduction in BREs compared to placebo. There was a marked reduction in BREs requiring immunoglobulins in the romiplostim arm compared to the placebo arm. Results were comparable in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized populations. The platelet count for a BRE starting ≥1 day after a platelet count measurement was calculated from the 2 proximal weekly measurements. Disclosures: Weitz: Amgen Inc.: Speakers Bureau. Sanz:Amgen Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Henry:Amgen Inc.: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Orthobiotech: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Watson Pharma: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Schipperus:Amgen Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Godeau:Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Laboratoire Français de Fractionnement et de Biotechnologies (LFB): Consultancy; Roche: Research Funding. Gleeson:Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Danese:Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Deuson:Amgen Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership.

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