Post-FDA approval experience with momelotinib in JAK inhibitor-naïve myelofibrosis: Focus on anemia response and treatment-emergent nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy

Abstract Background Momelotinib, a small-molecule Janus kinase 1 and 2 (JAK1/2) inhibitor (JAKi), is FDA-approved (September 15, 2023) for use in anemic patients with myelofibrosis (MF). The drug appears to have an edge over other FDA-approved JAKis in regard to its unique erythropoietic effect that has been attributed to its inhibitory activity on activin A receptor type-1 (ACVR1). In clinical trials, anemia response to momelotinib in JAKi-naïve MF patients has been reported in more than a third of patients with or without transfusion-dependent anemia (TDA). The current study examines the drug's efficacy and toxicity in JAKi-naïve patients treated outside of clinical trials and after the drug was commercially approved. Methods The current study was conducted under an institutional review board approved minimum risk protocol. Diagnostic criteria were according to the International Consensus Classification (Arber et al. Blood 2022; 140:1200). Study inclusion criteria included a hemoglobin level of <10 g/dL and absence of previous treatment with JAKi. Responses were adjudicated by the Revised International Working Group-European LeukemiaNet criteria (IWG-ELN; Blood 2024; 144:1813). Conventional statistical methods were used (JMP Pro 18.0.0 software SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results A Mayo Clinic enterprise-wide search identified 60 patients (median age 73 years; 55% males) with primary or secondary MF who received momelotinib outside of clinical trials as their first JAKi for treatment of anemia and associated symptoms. Driver mutation distribution included JAK2 42%, CALR 30%, MPL 18%, and triple-negative 10%. Table 1 outlines clinical and laboratory findings at the time of momelotinib treatment initiation; Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS)-plus risk distribution included high (72%) and intermediate 1/2 (28%) risk. Twenty-seven (45%) patients were transfusion-requiring, 24 (40%) displayed peripheral blood (PB) blast ≥2%, 10 (17%) platelet count <100 x 109/L, and 14 (25%) marked palpable splenomegaly (≥20cm). Unfavorable karyotype was seen in 9 (16%) of 58 patients. NGS-derived mutations were assessed in 57 cases and included ASXL1 (35%), TET2 (19%), SF3B1 (16%), SRSF2 (14%) and 7% (N=4) each for EZH2, IDH2, SH2B3, and ZRSR2. Baseline plasma cytokine levels were assessed in 17 patients with elevated TNF-a in 88%, IL-2 soluble 65%, IL-6 29% and IL-18 53%. Anemia response and predictors Fourteen (23%) patients met revised IWG-ELN criteria for anemia response (TDA 15% and non-TDA 30%; p=0.15). The anemia response was within 3 months in 10 (71%) patients. Median (range) durations of momelotinib exposure and anemia response were 8 (1-23) and 5 (1-13) months, respectively. The drug was discontinued in 29 (48%) patients (39% due to side effects; Table 2). In age-adjusted univariate analysis, predictors of anemia response included circulating blasts <2% (33% [12/36] vs. 8% [2/24]; p=0.02), presence of SH2B3 mutation (100% [4/4] vs. 19% [10/53]; p<0.01), and elevated IL-2 soluble (36% [4/11] vs. 0% [0/6]; p=0.02). The correlation with SH2B3 mutation remained significant (p<0.01) after accounting for circulating blasts. Treatment emergent neuropathy and nephropathy Sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) was reported by 12 (20%) patients with a median onset of 2 months (range 1-7); CTCAE v5.0 grades 1 (N=8), 2 (N=3), and 3 (N=1); reversibility was documented only for grade 1 severity and did not appear to be consistently affected by drug discontinuation or dose reduction (Table 3). Seventeen (29%) patients experienced a >20% treatment-emergent decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline, including 14 (23%) whose serum creatinine level crossed from the normal to abnormal range with pre- and post-treatment median (range) values of 1.05 (0.60-1.26) and 1.53 (1.1-3.31), respectively, with the majority reverting back to the normal range upon drug discontinuation. Conclusion In routine practice, momelotinib therapy might alleviate anemia in about a quarter of JAKi-naive patients with MF but is associated with non-trivial rates of treatment-emergent peripheral neuropathy and nephropathy. The latter appeared to be reversible on treatment discontinuation. Our novel observation regarding association of anemia response with SH2B3 mutation requires validation in a larger group of informative cases.