The IMerge Phase 3 study (NCT02598661) is a phase 2/3 global study investigating imetelstat, a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor, for patients with red blood cell transfusion-dependent non-del(5q) lower risk-myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) relapsed/refractory (R/R) to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). We were joined by Dr Rami Komrokji (Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA) to discuss the unmet needs in LR-MDS treatment, the unique methodology of the IMerge Phase 3 study and the different risk subgroups, its impact on red blood cell transfusion independence, and the factors contributing to suboptimal LR-MDS outcomes. Dr Komrokji also explored the potential clinical impact of the IMerge Phase 3 study findings, offering insights into future treatment paradigms.
The abstract entitled “Efficacy of Imetelstat in Achieving Red Blood Cell Transfusion Independence (RBC-TI) across Different Risk Subgroups in Patients with Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (LR-MDS) Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) in IMerge Phase 3 Study” was presented at the 65th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition December 9-12, 2023, in San Diego, CA, USA.
Questions
- What are the unmet needs in the treatment of lower-risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (LR-MDS) that are relapsed/refractory to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs)? (0:13)
- What was unique about the methodology of the IMerge Phase 3 study in assessing the efficacy of imetelstat for achieving Red Blood Cell Transfusion Independence (RBC-TI) across different risk subgroups in LR-MDS patients? (3:03)
- What were the primary and secondary endpoints and how well were they achieved? (4:28)
- What factors are known to cause suboptimal outcomes in the treatment of LR-MDS, and how does imetelstat address these factors? (6:56)
- What will be the likely clinical impact of the findings from the IMerge Phase 3 study in LR-MDS patients relapsed/refractory to ESAs? (9:08)
Disclosures: Rami Komrokji has received honoraria, has a membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, and is part of a Speakers Bureau for AbbVie, CTI biopharma, Jazz, Pharma Essentia, and Servio; has received consultancy fees from Geron; has received honoraria, has a membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, and received research funding from BMS; has received honoraria, has a membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees for Rigel, Taiho, and DSI; and has a membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees for Novartis.
Support: Interview and filming supported by Touch Medical Media Ltd. Interview conducted by Katey Gabrysch.
