Dr Sekeres on Outcomes With Imetelstat in Transfusion-Dependent MDS

Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, professor, medicine, chief, Division of Hematology, Leukemia Section, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses a subgroup analysis investigating treatment with imetelstat (Rytelo) in patients with low-to-intermediate-1–risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), highlighting the significance of the FDA approval of imetelstatfor this patient population.

This subgroup analysis assessed hemoglobin level improvements among patients responding to imetelstat, Sekeres begins. Investigators found that these patients achieved transfusion independence and experienced a significant increase in hemoglobin levels, averaging approximately 3 grams per deciliter, according to Sekeres. This substantial improvement underscores the drug’s efficacy in enhancing overall hematologic health in addition to reducing transfusion dependency, he reports.

Secondly, the analysis investigated whether these hematologic improvements were influenced by other factors, such as the use of growth factors or the need for platelet transfusions, Sekeres continues. The results showed that the improvements in hemoglobin levels and the achievement of transfusion independence were consistent regardless of whether patients required growth factors or had low platelet counts. This consistency indicates that imetelstat’s benefits extend broadly across various patient profiles, regardless of the presence of other hematologic abnormalities, he emphasizes.

These findings strongly support the use of imetelstat in this patient population, Sekeres elucidates. The demonstrated improvement in hemoglobin levels, in addition to achieving transfusion independence, bolsters the FDA’s approval of the drug for patients with lower-risk MDS who are transfusion dependent, he notes.

Moreover, these findings have important implications beyond immediate treatment outcomes, Sekeres expands. The ability of imetelstat to improve hemoglobin levels independently of other hematologic abnormalities indicates that it can be a versatile and reliable treatment option for a wide range of patients with lower-risk MDS, he says. This may lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies, potentially improving the quality of life and clinical outcomes for many patients, Sekeres concludes.