ASH 2022 | The association between transfusion independence and improved survival in myelofibrosis

As we have done a range of different analyses, one of the things that we had observed with the momelotinib studies is that the achievement of transfusion independence can be associated with an improvement in survival, and here we really extend those data at this year’s ASH is we look at the aggregate set of data that we have across a variety of studies with momelotinib. Why that’s important; first, it’s the first time really, that there is this correlation between the achievement of transfusion independence and improvement in survival. Now, physiologically, why is that? Is it improved oxygen carrying capacity? Is it less cardiac events? Is it perhaps a surrogate that the improvement in anemia has an impact on the bone marrow function? Perhaps the bone marrow microenvironment leads to better creation of red blood cells or erythrocytes, but also may have less likelihood of progression to acute leukemia or other things. I think the sub-reasons we still will need to have probably more time and more biology to digest, but it’s a very important observation that shows that the achievement of transfusion independence is not only about improvement in quality of life, which it clearly can be, or in terms of less hassle or expense of medical care, which it clearly can be for patients, but can be associated with an improvement in survival.