Dr. Mesa on Data With Momelotinib in Transfusion Independence Responders in Myelofibrosis

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, director of the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses results seen with momelotinib (formerly, GS-0387) in patients with transfusion-independent myelofibrosis, as demonstrated in the phase 3 SIMPLIFY-1 (NCT01969838) and SIMPLIFY-2 (NCT02101268) trials.

Results from the SIMPLIFY-1 study, which examined the agent vs ruxolitinib (Jakafi), demonstrated that in the week 24 transfusion independent responder subgroup, those who were randomized to receive momelotinib had 3-year overall survival (OS) advantage, according to Mesa. The 3-year OS rate for these patients was 80%, which was highly statistically significant, Mesa says. 

Additionally, in the SIMPLIFY-2 study, which examined momelotinib vs best available therapy, there was also a strong trend towards improvement in survival for the transfusion-independent responder arm, Mesa notes. Importantly, these trials help to demonstrate that transfusion independence has a significant correlation with improvement in survival, Mesa concludes.