Real-World Management of Myelofibrosis with Ruxolitinib: Initial Analysis of an Italian Observational Study (ROMEI)
Authors: Breccia Massimo , Guglielmelli Paola , Malato Alessandra , Mendicino Francesco , Palumbo Giuseppe A. , Selleri Carmine , Cilloni Daniela , Mazza Patrizio , Siragusa Sergio , Abruzzese Elisabetta , Latagliata Roberto , Crugnola Monica , Pastore Domenico , Micucci Giorgia , Benevolo Giulia , Morelli Mara , Palandri Francesca , Passamonti Francesco 
Published: October 2019

Introduction

ROMEI (CINC424AIT04 Ruxolitinib Observational study in Myelofibrosis treated patiEnts in Italy) is a prospective observational study that aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the clinical experience of registration trials and routine patient management by following roughly 200 myelofibrosis (MF) patients (pts) treated with ruxolitinib in everyday clinical practice. Enrollment began in April 2017 and ended in May 2018.

Methods

The primary endpoint is to evaluate changes in symptoms and quality of life during treatment with ruxolitinib through the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm 10 (MPN-10) disease-specific questionnaire and EuroQoL-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) general health questionnaire. Secondary endpoints: spleen length (change from baseline in palpable spleen length from left costal margin), effects on bone marrow fibrosis, changes in patient-reported outcome (Myelofibrosis 7-Items Symptom Scale), overall survival (OS), adherence to treatment, safety and tolerability, and changes in work and productivity impairment. This first interim analysis evaluated only the primary endpoint, spleen length, OS and safety of the first pts with at least 24 weeks of exposure to ruxolitinib.

Results

At data cut-off (April 30, 2018), 93 of the 216 enrolled pts were potentially evaluable, 91 for safety (2 were not treated) and 82 for primary and secondary endpoints. Median age at enrollment was 70 years (range 24 - 85) and 56% of pts are male. Forty-eight pts (48) (59%) had PMF, 20 (24%) had PPV-MF and 14 (17%) had PET-MF. IPSS score: Int-1 for 4 pts (5%), Int-2 for 48 pts (59%), high risk for 29 pts (35%) and missing for 1 patient (1%). Median time from diagnosis to enrollment was 4 months (range 0 - 247 months). Prior medications for MF were reported for only 35 of the 82 evaluable pts, 33 of whom received hydroxyurea.

Mean MPN-10 total score improved from 34.48 ± 17.26 (range 0 - 77) at baseline to 21.87 ± 14.72 (range 0 - 70) at Week 24, with mean change equal to -12.61 (95% CI: -16.25; -8.97). Across the board improvements were observed for all symptoms except for fever (Fig.1a), the greatest being seen in unintentional weight loss (-2.57 ± 3.42 [min; max: -10; 10]), night sweats (-2.07 ± 3.47 [min; max: -10; 10]) and itching (-2.07 ± 3.47 [min; max: -10; 10]).

Mean EQ-5D-5L index values were stable during the observation period: 0.79 ± 0.15 (range 0.23 - 1.00) at baseline and 0.82 ± 0.16 (range 0 - 1.00) at Week 24, with a mean change of 0.03 (95% CI: 0.00; 0.06). Mean EQ-VAS value was 60.79 ± 20.43 (range 0 - 100) at baseline and then improved slightly at each visit to reach a value of 67.24 ± 19.86 (range 10 - 100) at Week 24.

Mean spleen length decreased from 9.78 ± 5.65 cm (range 0 - 24) at baseline to 4.97 ± 5.91 cm (range 0 - 24) at Visit 5, corresponding to a mean absolute change of -5.82 cm (95% CI: -7.23; -4.41 cm) and a percentage change of -58.56% (95% CI: -69.55; -47.57%). The proportion of patients with a ≥ 50% reduction in palpable spleen length increased at each visit: 0.36 (95% CI: 0.24; 0.48) at Visit 2, 0.52 (95% CI: 0.39; 0.65) at Visit 3, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.50; 0.75) at Visit 4 and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.51; 0.77) at Visit 5. Best changes from baseline in spleen volume % in evaluable pts is shown in Figure 1b.

OS at Week 24 was 95%, with 4 of the 82 patients dying.

Adverse events (AE) were reported for 63 of the 91 safety pts (69%) and 245 AEs were reported overall, 26 of which were grade 3 or 4. SAEs were reported for ten patients, 4 of whom experienced drug-related SAEs. Forty (40) drug-related AEs were reported. Detailed safety information will be available at the meeting venue.

Conclusion

Preliminary data of the ROMEI study confirm the efficacy of ruxolitinib in everyday clinical practice in terms of spleen response and symptom relief. The improvements from baseline observed in the MPN 10 and EQ-5D-5L scores at Week 24 were however not as considerable as those reported in pivotal and registration trials. This difference may be related to the shorter median time from diagnosis to start of treatment (only 4 months). Our patients had been living with myelofibrosis for a shorter time and treating them with an effective drug earlier, when disease burden is likely lower, may account for the less appreciable improvement in patient perceptions of symptoms and quality of life.

Disclosures

Breccia: Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Palumbo:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cilloni:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Abruzzese:Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy. Morelli:Novartis: Employment. Palandri:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Passamonti:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.