Meter: A Multi-Country, Real-World Chart Review Study to Explore Treatment Patterns, Effectiveness and Healthcare Resource Utilization for Patients with Myelofibrosis
Authors: Gupta Vikas , Tomuleasa Ciprian , Lampon Gilberto Israel Barranco , Hou Hsin-An , Helbig Grzegorz , Symeonidis Argiris S. , Haznedaroglu Ibrahim , Galvez Kenny , Tatsch Fernando , Chopra Avijeet S , Zhang Meng , Vizkelety Tamas , Ross David M 
Published: December 2023

Background : Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The hallmarks of MF pathobiology include aberrant myeloproliferation, cytokine-induced inflammation, bone marrow reticulin fibrosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, cytopenias, and constitutional symptoms. Hydroxyurea was the most commonly used drug in patients with MF prior to the approval of ruxolitinib (RUX), a first-in-class Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor (JAKi) that is widely approved for symptomatic patients with MF. In addition to RUX, the JAKis fedratinib and, more recently, pacritinib have also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Real-world treatment patterns and impact of currently available JAKis on patients with MF are not well understood. Several novel agents are in advanced development and will further reshape the treatment landscape of MF. A better understanding of current treatment patterns will assist in positioning novel treatments within the MF therapeutic landscape.

Methods : The METER study (NCT05444972) is an ongoing multicountry noninterventional retrospective chart review assessing treatment patterns, effectiveness, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in patients diagnosed with MF. Data from patients aged ≥18 years with primary or secondary MF treated on or after the local first date of RUX approval until December 31 , 2021 were assessed. Patients who received treatment for MF in a clinical trial were excluded. The primary objective is to describe real-world MF treatment patterns, including patient characteristics, time from MF diagnosis to first-line (1L) therapy, choice, duration and reason for change/discontinuation of initial and subsequent treatments for MF, and treatment procedures. Secondary objectives include assessments of days hospitalized as part of HCRU.

Results : As of June 1, 2023, 928 patient charts were included, met eligibility criteria, and had initial treatment information available. Most patients were male (54%) and White (65%), and the median (range) age for patients ≤89 years of age was 66 (58-73) years; the most common geographic locations were Europe (53%), Latin America (23%), and North America (13%). Of patients, 66% (614/928) had primary MF, and 10% (97/928) were transfusion-dependent. Of patients tested for high molecular risk mutations, 50% (81/162) were positive. Of patients with available bone marrow fibrosis data, 82% (554/680) had grade ≥2 bone marrow fibrosis at diagnosis. The average interval from MF diagnosis to start of initial treatment (index date) was approximately 8.5 months. RUX was the most commonly used 1L therapy (47%; 437/928) followed by hydroxyurea (41%; 380/928). RUX was also the most common therapy used in second-line (2L), third-line, fourth-line, and fifth-line treatment for 62% (217/353), 63% (107/171), 66% (56/85), and 59% (24/41) of patients, respectively. Mean (SD) time from index date to procedural intervention was 556 (519) days; the most common procedure was stem cell transplant (n = 71) followed by splenectomy (n = 20). Of the 927 patients who received 1L therapy, 98% remained on 1L therapy through Week 24, and 66% did not initiate 2L therapy until Week 156. Median (95% CI) duration of 1L therapy was 48 (45-52) months (Figure). Median (95% CI) survival from the start of 1L therapy was 79 (71-NR) months. The estimated survival rate (95% CI) was 76% (73-79) at Week 156. Median (95% CI) overall survival was 120 (93-147) months. Median (Q1-Q3) total number of days hospitalized after the index date was 2 (0-19), and median (Q1, Q3) total number of days in the intensive care unit after the index date was 0 (0, 0). Analyses will be updated for presentation.

Conclusions : In patients with MF, RUX was the most commonly used agent in all lines of therapy. The greatest reduction in duration of MF treatment occurred from 1L to 2L. Most patients remained on 1L therapy through Week 24 and did not initiate 2L therapy until Week 156. Median survival time from start of 1L therapy to death was 79 months (approximately 6 years). There was a high degree of advanced bone marrow fibrosis as well as transfusion dependence among this real-world patient population. Together, these results highlight the importance of optimizing 1L therapy.