ASCO 2023 | Impact of transfusion burden on QoL in SIMPLIFY-1 and -2 & reduction in transfusion burden with MMB

Several updated analyses that we had done on the SIMPLIFY-1 and -2 studies. At this year’s ASCO meeting, we presented data as related to quality of life, where we were able to identify that individuals, almost regardless of the degree of anemia, had significant impact on symptoms and quality of life in these individuals. But that for those individuals that we saw improvement in anemia, we saw not only the typical improvement in symptoms and quality of life, but even really an extra level. From my end, I think that the symptoms and quality of life issues these patients face are both in part from the disease – that could be cytokines, that could be inflammation, splenomegaly – but it certainly is exacerbated by anemia. So when one is able to improve both sets of things, the patient really is much better off.

Second, we’ve presented an additional analysis here regarding momelotinib at EHA, regarding transfusion burden. And what we identified in this, was from a study where we had about 42 patients led by Stephen Oh where we were looking at a whole variety of biological correlates, and saw a decrease in intensity need. So, yes, when we report out these studies, there is those individuals that go from transfusion-dependent to -independent, meaning, you know, zero transfusion, but there’s an entire other group that have a clear decrease in the number of transfusions. You can imagine you needed six units of blood over the last two months, you know if you’re on momelotinib and had an improvement, maybe that decreased to one unit over those two months. Technically did not become transfusion-independent, but the patient was really quite a bit better off.

So what we’re seeing is that the majority of patients have some improvement in their anemia, with obviously transfusion-independence being perhaps kind of the highest bar, but we’re very encouraged to think that the majority of patients will have a clear benefit in terms of their anemia.