Gerds Provides Advice on Newly-Approved Momelotinib for Myelofibrosis

Aaron T. Gerds, MD, MS, assistant professor in medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at the Cleveland Clinic, provides advice to community oncologists on how to utilize momelotinib (Ojjaara) for patients with myelofibrosis.

On September 15, 2023, the FDA approved momelotinib for the treatment of adult patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, including primary myelofibrosis or secondary myelofibrosis, and anemia. The approval was supported by results of the international, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 MOMENTUM trial (NCT04173494), in which all of the primary and secondary end points of the study were met. Data from a subpopulation of adult patients with anemia who were assessed in the double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 SIMPLIFY-1 trial (NCT01969838) further support the approval.

With this approval, momelotinib provides potential to establish a new standard-of-care for patients with myelofibrosis who have anemia. Still, Gerds encourages community oncologists to partner with specialists to provide the best outcomes when managing patients with myelofibrosis with momelotinib.

Transcription:

0:10 | In the MOMENTUM study, as well as in the SIMPLIFY studies, momelotinib is a highly effective and highly active agent in treating spleen volumes and symptom burdens, as well as a potential anemia benefit. Certainly, this drug is very valuable in the space and toxicities were not excessive and were on par with what we expect normally with the JAK inhibitor. I would have little reservation using it in everyday practice, but of course, myelofibrosis is a very uncommon disease. I would encourage any practicing hematologist or oncologist to [partner with a] specialist in order to help manage their patients.

0:52 | Again, I can’t imagine anyone keeping up on everything all the time, and it is just so hard. There’s a lot of nuance in the care of patients with myelofibrosis and for myeloproliferative neoplasms, and certainly partnering with someone who spends a vast majority of their time dealing with these things could be a benefit.