Luspatercept-aamt shows benefit for transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Luspatercept-aamt improved red blood cell transfusion independence with a concurrent hemoglobin increase among certain patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, according to the agent’s manufacturer.
Luspatercept-aamt (Reblozyl; Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck) is an erythroid maturation agent shown to promote late-stage red blood cell maturation in animal models. It is approved in the United States for treatment of anemia among certain patients with beta-thalassemia, myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasms.
The randomized phase 3 COMMANDS trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of luspatercept-aamt vs. epoetin alfa for treatment of anemia due to very low-, low- or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome in patients who are red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependent and erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) naive.
The study met its primary endpoint of red blood cell transfusion independence (RBC-TI) for 12 weeks with mean hemoglobin increase of at least 1.5 g/dL.
The study also met key secondary endpoints, which included RBC-TI for 24 weeks, RBC-TI for 12 or more weeks, and erythroid response of at least 8 weeks during weeks 1 through 24 of the study.
“[Although] advancements have been made in the treatment of anemia for patients with [myelodysplastic syndrome], there remains a significant need for new and better first-line treatment options for patients with transfusion-dependent [myelodysplastic syndrome],” Noah Berkowitz, MD, PhD, senior vice president of hematology development with Bristol Myers Squibb, said in a company-issued press release. “We are pleased with the positive results of the COMMANDS study and look forward to presenting these important data.”
Safety results in the trial appeared consistent with prior studies. Researchers reported no new safety signals.
Complete results of the COMMANDS trial will be presented at a medical meeting.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts