Approval of Reblozyl is based on head-to-head, pivotal Phase 3 COMMANDS study, in which Reblozyl nearly doubled the percentage of patients achieving transfusion independence and hemoglobin increase, along with increased durability compared to epoetin alfa
This is the fourth authorized indication in Europe for Reblozyl, a first-in-class treatment for patients with disease-related anemia and the first therapy to demonstrate superior efficacy vs. epoetin alfa in LR-MDS
PRINCETON NJ, USA I April 02, 2024 I Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has expanded approval of Reblozyl® (luspatercept) to include the first-line treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This approval of Reblozyl covers all EU member states.*
“With this approval for Reblozyl as a first-line treatment for anemia in adults with lower-risk MDS, more patients in the EU will have the potential to become transfusion independent for longer periods of time compared to current options available,” said Monica Shaw, M.D., senior vice president and head of European Markets, Bristol Myers Squibb. “This milestone underscores our ongoing commitment to developing new options for patients with disease-related anemia.”
The approval is based on the pivotal Phase 3 COMMANDS study, in which Reblozyl demonstrated superior efficacy compared to epoetin alfa, an erythropoiesis stimulating agent, in the study’s primary endpoint of concurrent red blood cell transfusion independence and hemoglobin increase. Safety results were consistent with previous MDS studies and were in line with expected symptoms in this patient population. Reblozyl is also approved in the United States and Japan for the first-line treatment of anemia associated with lower-risk MDS.
“In the treatment of lower-risk MDS, few patients experience a lasting response to erythroid stimulating agents, leaving a critical need for more effective treatment options to address the burden of their anemia,” said Matteo Giovanni Della Porta, M.D., study investigator and head of Leukemia Unit at Humanitas Cancer Center in Milan, Italy. “Results from the COMMANDS study underscore the clinical value of Reblozyl as an initial treatment for anemia in patients with low- to intermediate-risk MDS, and this approval represents a significant milestone towards improving treatment practice and offering better outcomes for patients.”
*Centralized Marketing Authorization does not include approval in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
About COMMANDS
COMMANDS (NCT03682536) is a Phase 3, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Reblozyl versus epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia due to very low-, low- or intermediate-risk (IPSS-R) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in patients who are red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependent and were erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-naïve.
The primary endpoint evaluated in this study is RBC transfusion independence (RBC-TI) for 12 weeks with a mean hemoglobin (Hb) increase ≥1.5 g/dL. Key secondary endpoints include erythroid response (HI-E) of at least 8 weeks during weeks 1-24 of the study, RBC-TI ≥12 weeks and RBC-TI for 24 weeks. Eligible patients were ≥18 years old with lower-risk MDS who require transfusions. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous Reblozyl (starting dose 1.0 mg/kg, titration up to 1.75 mg/kg) once every 3 weeks or epoetin alfa (starting dose 450 IU/kg, titration up to 1050 IU/kg) weekly for ≥24 weeks.
At the time of the primary analysis (March 31, 2023), 363 patients were randomized 1:1 to Reblozyl and epoetin alfa. Results from the primary analysis of the intent to treat (ITT) population showed:
- 60.4% (n=110) of patients receiving Reblozyl vs. 34.8% (n=63) of patients receiving epoetin alfa achieved the primary endpoint of RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks with concurrent mean Hb increase of at least 1.5 g/dL within the first 24 weeks (p<0.0001).
- HI-E increase of at least 8 weeks was achieved by 74.2% (n=135) of Reblozyl patients vs. 53% (n=96) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001).
- RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks was achieved by 68.1% (n=124) of Reblozyl patients vs. 48.6% (n=88) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001).
- Duration of response was 128.1 weeks (108.3-NE) for Reblozyl in patients who achieved TI for at least 12 weeks (achieved weeks 1-24) compared to 89.7 weeks (55.9-157.3) for epoetin alfa (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.534; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.330-0.864, p=0.0096).
Safety results were consistent with previous MDS studies, and progression to acute myeloid leukemia and total deaths were similar between both arms of the study. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in at least 10% of patients were diarrhea, fatigue, COVID-19, hypertension, dyspnea, nausea, peripheral edema, asthenia, dizziness, anemia, back pain and headache. Rates of reported fatigue and asthenia were shown to decrease over time.
About MDS
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of closely related blood cancers characterized by ineffective production of healthy red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells and platelets, which can lead to anemia and frequent or severe infections. People with MDS who develop anemia often require blood transfusions to increase the number of healthy RBCs in circulation. Frequent transfusions are associated with an increased risk of iron overload, transfusion reactions and infections.Patients who become RBC transfusion-dependent have a significantly shorter overall survival than those who are not dependent on transfusions, partially due to iron overload or to more severe bone marrow disease than in non-transfusion dependent patients.
About Reblozyl®(luspatercept)
REBLOZYL, a first-in-class therapeutic option, promotes expansion and maturation of late-stage red blood cells in animal models. Reblozyl is being developed and commercialized through a global collaboration and North American co-promotion with Merck following Merck’s acquisition of Acceleron Pharma, Inc. in November 2021.
E.U. Indications:
REBLOZYL is indicated in the E.U. for the treatment of:
- adult patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
- adult patients with anaemia associated with transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia.
A European Summary of Product Characteristics for REBLOZYL is available from the European Medicines Agency website at www.ema.europa.eu.
U.S. Indications:
REBLOZYL is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of:
- anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
- anemia without previous erythropoiesis stimulating agent use (ESA-naïve) in adult patients with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who may require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
- anemia failing an erythropoiesis stimulating agent and requiring 2 or more red blood cell (RBC) units over 8 weeks in adult patients with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) or with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T).
REBLOZYL is not indicated for use as a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia. In the U.S., REBLOZYLis not indicated for use in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.
Please see accompanying U.S. Full Prescribing Information for REBLOZYL.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
SOURCE: Bristol Myers Squibb
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Approval of Reblozyl is based on head-to-head, pivotal Phase 3 COMMANDS study, in which Reblozyl nearly doubled the percentage of patients achieving transfusion independence and hemoglobin increase, along with increased durability compared to epoetin alfa
This is the fourth authorized indication in Europe for Reblozyl, a first-in-class treatment for patients with disease-related anemia and the first therapy to demonstrate superior efficacy vs. epoetin alfa in LR-MDS
PRINCETON NJ, USA I April 02, 2024 I Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has expanded approval of Reblozyl® (luspatercept) to include the first-line treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This approval of Reblozyl covers all EU member states.*
“With this approval for Reblozyl as a first-line treatment for anemia in adults with lower-risk MDS, more patients in the EU will have the potential to become transfusion independent for longer periods of time compared to current options available,” said Monica Shaw, M.D., senior vice president and head of European Markets, Bristol Myers Squibb. “This milestone underscores our ongoing commitment to developing new options for patients with disease-related anemia.”
The approval is based on the pivotal Phase 3 COMMANDS study, in which Reblozyl demonstrated superior efficacy compared to epoetin alfa, an erythropoiesis stimulating agent, in the study’s primary endpoint of concurrent red blood cell transfusion independence and hemoglobin increase. Safety results were consistent with previous MDS studies and were in line with expected symptoms in this patient population. Reblozyl is also approved in the United States and Japan for the first-line treatment of anemia associated with lower-risk MDS.
“In the treatment of lower-risk MDS, few patients experience a lasting response to erythroid stimulating agents, leaving a critical need for more effective treatment options to address the burden of their anemia,” said Matteo Giovanni Della Porta, M.D., study investigator and head of Leukemia Unit at Humanitas Cancer Center in Milan, Italy. “Results from the COMMANDS study underscore the clinical value of Reblozyl as an initial treatment for anemia in patients with low- to intermediate-risk MDS, and this approval represents a significant milestone towards improving treatment practice and offering better outcomes for patients.”
*Centralized Marketing Authorization does not include approval in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
About COMMANDS
COMMANDS (NCT03682536) is a Phase 3, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Reblozyl versus epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia due to very low-, low- or intermediate-risk (IPSS-R) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in patients who are red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependent and were erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-naïve.
The primary endpoint evaluated in this study is RBC transfusion independence (RBC-TI) for 12 weeks with a mean hemoglobin (Hb) increase ≥1.5 g/dL. Key secondary endpoints include erythroid response (HI-E) of at least 8 weeks during weeks 1-24 of the study, RBC-TI ≥12 weeks and RBC-TI for 24 weeks. Eligible patients were ≥18 years old with lower-risk MDS who require transfusions. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous Reblozyl (starting dose 1.0 mg/kg, titration up to 1.75 mg/kg) once every 3 weeks or epoetin alfa (starting dose 450 IU/kg, titration up to 1050 IU/kg) weekly for ≥24 weeks.
At the time of the primary analysis (March 31, 2023), 363 patients were randomized 1:1 to Reblozyl and epoetin alfa. Results from the primary analysis of the intent to treat (ITT) population showed:
- 60.4% (n=110) of patients receiving Reblozyl vs. 34.8% (n=63) of patients receiving epoetin alfa achieved the primary endpoint of RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks with concurrent mean Hb increase of at least 1.5 g/dL within the first 24 weeks (p<0.0001).
- HI-E increase of at least 8 weeks was achieved by 74.2% (n=135) of Reblozyl patients vs. 53% (n=96) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001).
- RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks was achieved by 68.1% (n=124) of Reblozyl patients vs. 48.6% (n=88) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001).
- Duration of response was 128.1 weeks (108.3-NE) for Reblozyl in patients who achieved TI for at least 12 weeks (achieved weeks 1-24) compared to 89.7 weeks (55.9-157.3) for epoetin alfa (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.534; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.330-0.864, p=0.0096).
Safety results were consistent with previous MDS studies, and progression to acute myeloid leukemia and total deaths were similar between both arms of the study. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in at least 10% of patients were diarrhea, fatigue, COVID-19, hypertension, dyspnea, nausea, peripheral edema, asthenia, dizziness, anemia, back pain and headache. Rates of reported fatigue and asthenia were shown to decrease over time.
About MDS
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of closely related blood cancers characterized by ineffective production of healthy red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells and platelets, which can lead to anemia and frequent or severe infections. People with MDS who develop anemia often require blood transfusions to increase the number of healthy RBCs in circulation. Frequent transfusions are associated with an increased risk of iron overload, transfusion reactions and infections.Patients who become RBC transfusion-dependent have a significantly shorter overall survival than those who are not dependent on transfusions, partially due to iron overload or to more severe bone marrow disease than in non-transfusion dependent patients.
About Reblozyl®(luspatercept)
REBLOZYL, a first-in-class therapeutic option, promotes expansion and maturation of late-stage red blood cells in animal models. Reblozyl is being developed and commercialized through a global collaboration and North American co-promotion with Merck following Merck’s acquisition of Acceleron Pharma, Inc. in November 2021.
E.U. Indications:
REBLOZYL is indicated in the E.U. for the treatment of:
- adult patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
- adult patients with anaemia associated with transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia.
A European Summary of Product Characteristics for REBLOZYL is available from the European Medicines Agency website at www.ema.europa.eu.
U.S. Indications:
REBLOZYL is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of:
- anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
- anemia without previous erythropoiesis stimulating agent use (ESA-naïve) in adult patients with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who may require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
- anemia failing an erythropoiesis stimulating agent and requiring 2 or more red blood cell (RBC) units over 8 weeks in adult patients with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) or with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T).
REBLOZYL is not indicated for use as a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia. In the U.S., REBLOZYLis not indicated for use in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.
Please see accompanying U.S. Full Prescribing Information for REBLOZYL.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
SOURCE: Bristol Myers Squibb
Post Views: 281
