Andrew Moreno

DocwireNews

A pooled data analysis of the IMerge phase II/III trial has evaluated whether prior therapies affect the efficacy of imetelstat treatment in patients with red blood cell transfusion-dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). It was presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting &amp; Exposition in San Diego, California.According to lead author Uwe Platzbecker, MD, of Leipzig University Hospital in Germany, the analysis found &ldquo;[p]atients who were [erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA)]-ineligible or who had prior treatment with luspatercept, lenalidomide, or [a hypomethylating agent (HMA)] in IMerge experienced clinical benefit from imetelstat treatment.&rdquo;The analysis cohort comprised 226 patients who received imetelstat intravenously every four weeks at 7.1 mg/kg. In the cohort, 204 patients had previously received an ESA and 22 were ineligible for this therapy. Thirty-five patients had received prior luspatercept, 26 lenalidomide, and 22 an HMA. Enrolled participants may have received more than one prior therapy.The analyst team calculated that among patients with prior ESA therapy, 40% achieved red blood cell transfusion independence which lasted eight weeks or longer and 28% independence of 24 weeks or longer. 43% of the patients achieved hematologic improvement-erythroid, and 33% had a hemoglobin rise of 1.5 g/dL or greater with a duration of at least eight weeks.Among the patients who were ineligible for prior ESAs, 36% achieved transfusion independence of eight weeks or longer and 14% of 24 weeks or longer. 41% of these patients achieved hematologic improvement-erythroid, and 2% had hemoglobin increase of 1.5 g/dL or greater with a duration of at least eight weeks.In the group of patients who had prior luspatercept therapy, 29% achieved transfusion independence of eight weeks or longer and 20% of 24 weeks or longer. 26% of the patients achieved hematologic improvement-erythroid, and 29% had a hemoglobin increase of 1.5 g/dL or greater with a duration of at least eight weeks.For patients with prior lenalidomide therapy, 23% achieved transfusion independence of eight weeks or longer and 12% of 24 weeks or longer. 31% of the patients achieved hematologic improvement-erythroid, and 19% had a hemoglobin increase of 1.5 g/dL or greater with a duration of at least eight weeks.Among patients who received prior HMA therapy, 14% achieved transfusion independence of eight weeks or longer and 9% of 24 weeks or longer. 18% of the patients achieved hematologic improvement-erythroid, and 14% had a hemoglobin increase of 1.5 g/dL or greater with a duration of at least eight weeks.Dr. Platzbecker wrote that although the cohort size was small, its findings &ldquo;have important clinical implications, suggesting that imetelstat demonstrates clinical activity regardless of prior therapies.&rdquo;ReferencePlatzbecker U, Santini V, Zeidan AM, et al. Effect of prior treatments on the clinical activity of imetelstat in transfusion-dependent patients with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, relapsed or refractory/ineligible lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Abstract #352. Presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 7-10, 2024; San Diego, California.

Jordana Jampel

Positive Preliminary Results From Phase 1 Trial of Dopaminergic Neuron Graft for Parkinson’s Disease

Dementia

Bradley Warady, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

2025 Hume Award Winner Is Dedicated to Children’s Care

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Distant Brain Metastases in Cutaneous Melanoma May Be Mitigated With Multiple Pathway Inhibitors

Melanoma

Latest News

Phase II/III Pooled Data Analysis: Imetelstat Benefit in MDS Independent of Prior Therapy

ASH 2024

Cohort patients had at least one prior intervention with luspatercept, lenalidomide, an HMA or ESA, or were ESA-ineligible.

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HER2 Breast Cancer

HR Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe