BACKGROUND Ruxolitinib, a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, has clinically significant activity in myelofibrosis. METHODS In a double-blind trial, patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis were randomized to twice-daily oral ruxolitinib (n=155) or placebo (n=154). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with ≥35% spleen volume reduction at 24 weeks assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Secondary endpoints included durability of response, changes in symptom burden (assessed by Total Symptom Score [TSS]), and overall survival. RESULTS In the ruxolitinib group, 41.9% achieved the primary endpoint versus 0.7% in the placebo group (P<0.001). Spleen response was maintained while taking ruxolitinib: 67% of responding patients maintained response for ≥48 weeks. A ≥50% improvement in TSS at 24 weeks was achieved by 45.9% of ruxolitinib-treated versus 5.3% of placebo-treated patients (P<0.001). Thirteen deaths occurred in the ruxolitinib and 24 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25–0.98; P=0.04). Discontinuations for adverse events were similar between groups (11% each). Among ruxolitinib-treated patients, anemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common adverse events, but rarely led to discontinuation (1 patient for each event). Two patients underwent transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), both in the ruxolitinib group. CONCLUSIONS Ruxolitinib provided significant clinical benefits in patients with myelofibrosis by reducing spleen size, improving debilitating myelofibrosis-related symptoms, and improving overall survival. Improvement came at a cost of more frequent anemia and thrombocytopenia in the early part of the treatment period. The imbalance in AML transformation requires attention in further studies. (Funded by Incyte Corporation; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00952289)
BackgroundThe randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 COMFORT-I trial evaluated the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in patients with intermediate-2/high-risk myelofibrosis. The primary and planned 3-year analyses of COMFORT-I data demonstrated that ruxolitinib—the first myelofibrosis-approved therapy—reduced splenomegaly and prolonged overall survival versus placebo. Here, we present the final 5-year results.MethodsPatients managed in Australia, Canada, and the USA were randomized centrally (interactive voice response system) 1:1 to oral ruxolitinib twice daily (15 or 20 mg per baseline platelet counts) or placebo. Investigators and patients were blinded to treatment. The secondary endpoints evaluated in this analysis were durability of a ≥35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume (spleen response) and overall survival, evaluated in the intent-to-treat population. Safety was evaluated in patients who received study treatment.ResultsPatients were randomized (September 2009–April 2010) to ruxolitinib (n = 155) or placebo (n = 154). At termination, 27.7% of ruxolitinib-randomized patients and 25.2% (28/111) who crossed over from placebo were on treatment; no patients remained on placebo. Patients randomized to ruxolitinib had a median spleen response duration of 168.3 weeks and prolonged median overall survival versus placebo (ruxolitinib group, not reached; placebo group, 200 weeks; HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50–0.96; P = 0.025) despite the crossover to ruxolitinib. The ruxolitinib safety profile remained consistent with previous analyses. The most common new-onset all-grade nonhematologic adverse events starting <12 versus ≥48 months after ruxolitinib initiation were fatigue (29.0 vs 33.3%) and diarrhea (27.8 vs 14.6%). New-onset grade 3 or 4 anemia and thrombocytopenia both primarily occurred within the first 6 months, with no cases after 42 months. The most common treatment-emergent adverse event-related deaths in the ruxolitinib-randomized group were sepsis (2.6%), disease progression (1.9%), and pneumonia (1.9%).ConclusionThe final COMFORT-I results continue to support ruxolitinib as an effective treatment for patients with intermediate-2/high-risk MF.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00952289
SummaryIn the haematopoietic system, the principal function of erythropoietin (Epo) is the regulation of red blood cell production, mediated by its specific cell surface receptor (EpoR). Following the cloning of the Epo gene (EPO) and characterization of the selective haematopoietic action of Epo in erythroid lineage cells, recombinant Epo forms (epoetinalfa, epoetin-beta and the long-acting analogue darbepoetinalfa) have been widely used for treatment of anaemia in chronic kidney disease and chemotherapy-induced anaemia in cancer patients. Ubiquitous EpoR expression in non-erythroid cells has been associated with the discovery of diverse biological functions for Epo in non-haematopoietic tissues. During development, Epo-EpoR signalling is required not only for fetal liver erythropoiesis, but also for embryonic angiogenesis and brain development. A series of recent studies suggest that endogenous Epo-EpoR signalling contributes to wound healing responses, physiological and pathological angiogenesis, and the body's innate response to injury in the brain and heart. Epo and its novel derivatives have emerged as major tissue-protective cytokines that are being investigated in the first human studies involving neurological and cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on the scientific evidence documenting the biological effects of Epo in non-haematopoietic tissues and discusses potential future applications of Epo and its derivatives in the clinic.
Purpose To update American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology recommendations for use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with cancer. Methods An Update Committee reviewed data published between January 2007 and January 2010. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were searched. Results The literature search yielded one new individual patient data analysis and four literature-based meta-analyses, two systematic reviews, and 13 publications reporting new results from randomized controlled trials not included in prior or new reviews. Recommendations For patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy who have a hemoglobin (Hb) level less than 10 g/dL, the Update Committee recommends that clinicians discuss potential harms (eg, thromboembolism, shorter survival) and benefits (eg, decreased transfusions) of ESAs and compare these with potential harms (eg, serious infections, immune-mediated adverse reactions) and benefits (eg, rapid Hb improvement) of RBC transfusions. Individual preferences for assumed risk should contribute to shared decisions on managing chemotherapy-induced anemia. The Committee cautions against ESA use under other circumstances. If used, ESAs should be administered at the lowest dose possible and should increase Hb to the lowest concentration possible to avoid transfusions. Available evidence does not identify Hb levels ≥ 10 g/dL either as thresholds for initiating treatment or as targets for ESA therapy. Starting doses and dose modifications after response or nonresponse should follow US Food and Drug Administration–approved labeling. ESAs should be discontinued after 6 to 8 weeks in nonresponders. ESAs should be avoided in patients with cancer not receiving concurrent chemotherapy, except for those with lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Caution should be exercised when using ESAs with chemotherapeutic agents in diseases associated with increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Table 1 lists detailed recommendations. This guideline was developed through a collaboration between the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology and has been published jointly by invitation and consent in both Journal of Clinical Oncology and Blood. Copyright © 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society of Hematology. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission by the American Society of Clinical Oncology or the American Society of Hematology.
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