Janus Kinase Inhibitor Therapy Research Articles

Evaluating dermatologists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for the treatment of alopecia areata

Evaluating dermatologists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for the treatment of alopecia areata

Pharmacologic Anticoagulation Is Associated With a Lower Risk of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolic Events During Janus Kinase Inhibitor Use for Patients With a Prior Thrombosis.

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors tofacitinib and upadacitinib are effective therapies for inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatologic disorders but currently possess a warning for increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. Some patients with a history of VTE may benefit from a JAK inhibitor, but the risk of recurrent VTE with JAK inhibitor use is unclear. Our goal was to observe rates of new VTE events after starting JAK inhibitor therapy in patients with a prior VTE, and observe whether concurrent anticoagulation (AC) reduces this risk. We conducted a review of adults prescribed tofacitinib or upadacitinib between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2023, with a prior history of VTE. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, disease type, and VTE date(s), and to verify duration of JAK inhibitor use along with any concurrent AC. VTEs following JAK inhibitor initiation were identified by International Classification of Diseases-Tenth Revision code and verified by physician documentation and imaging. We identified 79 patients with a documented VTE history before initiating JAK inhibitors, 47 of whom began a JAK inhibitor with concurrent AC. Of these, 15 patients discontinued AC while receiving JAK inhibitors. In total, 5 new VTE events were observed during 55.42 patient-years of JAK inhibitor treatment without concurrent AC (9.0 events per 100 patient-years), while no new VTE events occurred during 65.2 patient-years of JAK inhibitor treatment with concurrent AC, demonstrating a lower risk of recurrent VTE (P = .020). These results suggest that for patients with a prior VTE history there is a high risk for recurrent VTE while receiving JAK inhibitors. Concurrent use of AC with JAK inhibitors appears to be protective against recurrent VTEs in this population.

Earlier onset of acute venous thromboembolism with upadacitinib compared with tofacitinib during Janus kinase inhibitor therapy

Earlier onset of acute venous thromboembolism with upadacitinib compared with tofacitinib during Janus kinase inhibitor therapy

Real-world experience quantifying access to JAK inhibitor care for alopecia areata patients: a patient-centered survey study.

Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) therapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape for alopecia areata (AA); however, access may be limited by a lack of insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs. We aimed to evaluate real-world patient experiences regarding access to JAKi therapy. We conducted an online patient-centered survey using the National Alopecia Areata Foundation listserv. In total 784 individuals initiated our survey, and 600 completed it in full (76.5%). While more non-White patients considered obtaining JAKi therapy, more White patients reported the use of this medication class. In total, 74.2% lacked insurance coverage or had partial coverage for JAKi, and 52% expressed dissatisfaction with available coverage. However, 52.9% reported delays in starting medication due to insurance approval processes, contributing to worsened AA and related stress. In total, 35% of patients did not try to obtain JAKi therapy due to concerns about costs, and 18.2% discontinued therapy due to financial barriers. Also, 19.8% of patients reported utilizing financial savings to pay for medication, and 55.2% reported using a copay assistance card. Further, 12.2% reported forgoing other necessities to pay for AA expenses. Our results are limited by the subjective nature of survey studies. The recency of FDA approval for JAKi therapy may also influence patients' perceptions of access to care. Patients with AA face significant barriers when trying to obtain JAKi therapy, and existing racial inequities may be exacerbated by these barriers. Further advocacy work is needed to improve access to care.

Interrupting an IFN-γ-dependent feedback loop in the syndrome of pyogenic arthritis with pyoderma gangrenosum and acne

ObjectivesTo study the molecular pathogenesis of PAPA (pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne) syndrome, a debilitating hereditary autoinflammatory disease caused by dominant mutation in PSTPIP1.MethodsGene knock-out and knock-in mice were...

Janus kinase inhibition in the treatment and prevention of graft-versus-host disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). For many years, corticosteroids have been the mainstay treatment for GVHD, but cases of steroid-refractory GVHD and the severe adverse effects of high-dose corticosteroids have increased the need for preventative and therapeutic strategies for GVHD. Due to the nature of alloreactive T cells, GVHD is inherently linked to the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect, the therapeutic driving force behind stem cell transplantation. A considerable clinical challenge is to preserve GVL while suppressing GVHD. The field of GVHD research has greatly expanded over the past decades, including advancements in T cell modulation and depletion, antibody therapies, chemotherapeutics, cellular therapies, and Janus kinase inhibition. In this review, we discuss current approaches and advances in the prophylaxis and treatment of GVHD with a focus on new emerging advancements in Janus kinase inhibitor therapy.

Continued JAK inhibitor treatment on the risk of recurrent herpes zoster reactivation in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: A nationwide population-based study in South Korea

BackgroundTo investigate the risk of recurrent herpes zoster (HZ) reactivation under continued Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) therapy in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) who developed HZ reactivation. MethodsData from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ulcerative colitis (UC) gathered from 2007 to 2021 were analyzed. ResultsA total of 3947 (RA 3540, UC 407) receiving JAKi were included. After median 0.95 years (IQR, 0.93–2.58) of therapy, 611 (15.5%) patients developed HZ reactivation (incidence rate: 8.38/100 person-years [PY]). After excluding 151 patients with lack of data after HZ reactivation, 460 patients (JAKi continuation group, n = 386 [83.9%]; JAKi discontinuation group, n = 74 [16.1%]) were analyzed for the risk of subsequent recurrent HZ reactivation. During further follow-up of median 1.11 years (IQR, 0.53–1.91), 36 (9.3%) and 6 (8.1%) patients in the JAKi continuation group and JAKi discontinuation group experienced a recurrence of HZ, respectively. The incidence rate of subsequent recurrent HZ reactivation was not significantly different between the two groups (5.3/100 vs. 5.9/100 PY; P = 0.52). After adjusting for age, sex, usage of corticosteroids, and antiviral agents, continued use of JAKi was not a significant risk factor for subsequent HZ reactivation (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71 [CI, 0.29–1.72], P = 0.45). ConclusionIn this nationwide population-based study on patients with RA or UC, continued use of JAKi was not associated with a significant risk of subsequent recurrent HZ reactivation. JAKi therapy may be maintained in patients with IMID even after HZ reactivation.

Cardiovascular safety of Janus Kinase inhibitor therapy in a multi‐ethnic population

AbstractBackgroundJanus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a class of drugs that have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). However, there have been concerns about their potential to increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Some studies have found no ethnic differences. This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular safety of JAK inhibitor therapy in a large multi‐ethnic patient cohort and to identify if there is a correlation between the age of patients in the cohort with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.MethodsThis retrospective cross‐sectional study enrolled 309 patients with ARDs who were treated with JAK inhibitors. Cardiovascular events that occurred while on JAK inhibitor therapy were identified retrospectively.ResultsThe mean age of the study cohort was 59.3 years, and 73% were Caucasian and 25% were South Asian in ethnicity. There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between cardiovascular events and age of the patients (rpb = 0.12, n = 309, p = 0.036), but the correlation was weak based on the rpb value of 0.12.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that JAK inhibitor therapy is generally safe in older patients with ARDs in a multi‐ethnic population. However, further research is needed to identify any other patient factors that may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. The findings of this study could also have practise implications in the use of JAK inhibitor therapy in patients over 65 years of age.

Changes in surgery rates among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Japan from 2015 to 2019: A nationwide administrative database analysis.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), has advanced with the application of biologics or Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi); however, some patients still need surgery. We assessed time trends of surgery and biologics or JAKi variety in Japan. Patients hospitalized due to IBD were analyzed using Diagnosis Procedure Combination data between 2015 and 2019. Longitudinal trend analysis was performed for demographics, and interrupted time-series analysis was performed to examine the association between surgery rates and an increase in the types of biologics or JAKi. Totally, 37867 cases with UC and 35493 cases with CD were analyzed. Over 5years, the surgery rate decreased in both UC and CD. The proportion of biologics and JAKi usage increased in UC and stabilized in CD. Between decreasing surgery and expanding treatment options of biologic or JAKi, interrupted time-series analysis results showed no significant correlation (level change in UC, -1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.11 to -0.16, P=0.0235; slope change in UC, -0.05, 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.16, P=0.6372; level change in CD, -0.55, 95% CI: -1.82 to 0.71, P=0.3815; slope change in CD, -0.22, 95% CI: -0.63 to 0.19, P=0.2892). In Japan, from 2015 to 2019, the use of biologics or JAKi increased for UC and slightly decreased for CD, while the number of surgeries decreased in both. Our findings suggest that more widespread use of biologics or JAKi therapy could reduce surgeries in patients with IBD.

Longitudinal Safety of Luspatercept in the Treatment of Anemia in Patients with Myelofibrosis: Results from the ACE-536-MF-001 Study

Introduction Luspatercept (LUSPA) is approved for the treatment of anemia in some adults with β-thalassemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who require red blood cell transfusion and has a well characterized safety profile for these indications. The primary readout from the phase 2 ACE-536-MF-001 study (NCT03194542) demonstrated manageable safety and promising efficacy of LUSPA for treatment of myelofibrosis (MF)-related anemia with 19.0%-31.6% of patients (pts) achieving transfusion independence (defined as 84 consecutive days transfusion free), and 18.2%-21.4% of non-transfusion-dependent (NTD) pts achieving anemia response (defined as 84 consecutive days ≥ 1.5 g/dL hemoglobin increase from baseline without transfusion) in the entire treatment period (Gerds ASCO 2023 7016). To characterize further the safety profile of LUSPA in MF and provide data on adverse event (AE) management, we present a detailed longitudinal safety analysis of the MF-001 study. Methods Pts were enrolled into 4 cohorts based on transfusion dependence (TD) and stable ruxolitinib (RUX) treatment - cohort 1: NTD, no RUX; cohort 2: TD, no RUX; cohort 3A: NTD, RUX; cohort 3B: TD, RUX. All pts received LUSPA 1.0 mg/kg subcutaneously with titration up to 1.75 mg/kg in 21-day cycles; the starting dose was 1.33 mg/kg in the cohort 3B expansion group. Response was assessed at day 169 (24 weeks), with treatment extended for pts showing clinical benefit. The primary endpoint was anemia response; AEs alongside LUSPA and RUX dosing were also assessed. On dosing days, seated blood pressure was assessed prior to LUSPA administration. In the case of ≥ grade 3 hypertension (systolic ≥ 160 mmHg, diastolic ≥ 100 mmHg), dosing was delayed until hypertension had resolved to ≤ grade 1 or baseline, followed by dose reduction by 1 dose level. If ≥ 2 dose reductions were implemented due to any suspected treatment-related AE (TRAE), LUSPA was discontinued. Results In the safety population (N = 95; cohort 1, n = 22; cohort 2, n = 14; cohort 3A, n = 21; cohort 3B, n = 38), the most frequently used prior medications for anemia treatment were erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (23.2%, most frequently epoetin alfa [14.7%]), followed by danazol (11.6%), lenalidomide (2.1%), and thalidomide (1.1%). Prior history of hypertension was recorded in 50.5% of pts. Median follow-up duration was 546 days. A total of 47.4% of pts had ≥ 1 TRAE; the most common were hypertension (17.9%), bone pain (7.4%), and diarrhea (6.3%). Incidence of treatment-related grade ≥ 3 diarrhea was low (2.1%). Overall, 13.7% of pts received concomitant antidiarrheals. LUSPA was discontinued in 9 pts due to AEs; 1 event of cerebral toxoplasmosis was considered treatment related by the investigator. Among pts receiving RUX (cohorts 3A/3B), hypertension was the most frequently occurring grade ≥ 3 TRAE ( Table 1) and 5 pts had LUSPA dose modifications related to hypertension events; considered related to LUSPA in 4 pts ( Table 2). In contrast, among pts not receiving RUX (cohorts 1/2), no pts experienced grade ≥ 3 hypertension events. Hypertension was manageable with clinical intervention; during the study the most frequent concomitant medications for hypertension were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (26.3%), beta-blocking agents (selective, 23.2%; non-selective, 3.2%), and angiotensin II receptor blockers (alone, 20.0%; plus diuretics, 5.3%). Among NTD pts (cohort 3A), there were no changes in RUX dose. Among TD pts (cohort 3B), 25 (65.8%) pts maintained their RUX dose and 6 (15.8%) pts had ≥ 1 dose increase. Overall, 9 deaths occurred during treatment; none were considered treatment related. Causes of death were pneumonia, septic shock, intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, organ dysfunction, post-procedural hemorrhage, myelofibrosis, renal failure, and pneumonitis (n = 1 each). Conclusions The safety profile of LUSPA in the ACE-536-MF-001 study was consistent with previous studies in other indications, and AEs were mostly low grade. In addition to benefits in anemia, the safety profile of LUSPA allowed most pts receiving RUX to maintain or increase their RUX dose, supporting maintenance of Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for adequate disease control of MF. Study support: Bristol Myers Squibb.

Anemia and Transfusion Dependency Are Important Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival in Patients with Myelofibrosis: Results of a Real-World Analysis of Medicare Patients

Introduction: Anemia is a hallmark feature of myelofibrosis (MF) and causes many patients (pts) to require red blood cell transfusions. Both anemia and transfusion dependency have been associated with decreased survival in pts with MF. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between anemia severity and transfusion dependency on overall survival (OS) among pts with MF in the Medicare population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the Medicare fee-for-service database to identify pts with a diagnosis of MF between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2020. Study inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient claims for MF (on separate dates <90 days apart; the earliest appearance of MF was set as the MF diagnostic index date [MFDID]); (2) 12 months of continuous enrollment preceding (baseline) and 6 months of continuous enrollment following (follow-up) the MFDID; (3) absence of Janus kinase inhibitor therapy during the 12-month baseline period; (4) absence of polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, or another primary cancer other than basal and squamous cell skin carcinoma during the baseline period; and (5) absence of participation in a clinical trial. Transfusions were assessed over a 180-day landmark period following anemia index date (AID; set to the earliest evidence of anemia, unless it occurred during the 100 days prior to the MFDID, in which the AID was set to the MFDID), and pts were stratified into 3 subcohorts: transfusion independent (TI; no transfusions), transfusion dependent (TD; ≥6 transfusion claims on 6 separate days over any 12-week window), or transfusion requiring (TR; received transfusion claims but did not meet TD criteria). A subset of pts were identified as having anemia based on medical claims from the Medicare fee-for-service database or laboratory test results from the Prognos Biomarker and Laboratory Database ≤100 days before and any time after the MFDID, with severity subcohorts graded based on hemoglobin levels: mild (10 to <12 g/dL), moderate (8 to <10 g/dL), or severe (<8 g/dL) disease. OS from the MFDID was assessed for all pts using Kaplan-Meier analyses, with log-rank tests used to determine statistically significant differences among the transfusion dependency and anemia severity subcohorts. Results: A total of 1749 pts qualified for the transfusion cohorts: 980 were TI, 559 were TR, and 210 were TD. Mean age was 74.8 years, 47.9% were male, and 81.7% were White. Results of Kaplan-Meier analyses showed a median OS of 44.1 months (95% CI, 39.8-48.5 months) for the overall transfusion sample and 62.6 months (95% CI, 57.8-68.2 months) for the TI cohort, 29.0 months (95% CI, 25.9-32.9 months) for the TR cohort, and 22.6 months (95% CI, 20.1-28.1 months) for the TD cohort ( P<.001) (Figure A). A total of 265 pts with corresponding laboratory testing data qualified for the anemia cohorts: 128 were mild, 99 were moderate, and 38 were severe. Mean age was 73.6 years, 47.5% were male, and 79.6% were White. Results of Kaplan-Meier analyses showed a median OS of 64.3 months (95% CI, 56.5-76.9 months) for the overall anemia sample and 89.8 months (95% CI, 72.9 months-not calculable) for the mild cohort, 58.9 months (95% CI, 40.8-69.1 months) for the moderate cohort, and 20.6 months (95% CI, 15.9-49.4 months) for the severe cohort ( P<.001) (Figure B). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that dependency on transfusions, increasing transfusion requirements, and greater anemia severity are each negative prognostic factors for OS among Medicare fee-for-service pts with diagnosed MF. Therapies that reduce transfusion dependency and anemia severity may aid in improving health outcomes and prolong survival in pts with MF. Figure. Kaplan-Meier Curves of Overall Survival in Transfusion (A) and Anemia (B) Subcohorts, Calculated from the Myelofibrosis Diagnostic Index Date

Treatments for Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Narrative Review.

Treatments for alopecia areata (AA) have traditionally been prescribed off-label, and there has been no universal agreement on how to best manage the condition. Baricitinib is the first oral selective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of adults with severe AA. As a better understanding of the evidence supporting the management of AA in clinical practice is needed, we conducted a systematic literature review and subsequent narrative review to describe available evidence pertaining to the efficacy and tolerability of treatments currently recommended for adults with moderate-to-severe forms of AA. From 2557 identified records, a total of 53 records were retained for data extraction: 9 reported data from 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) versus placebo, and 44 reported data from unique RCTs with no placebo arm, non-randomized trials, or observational studies. Across drug classes, data were reported heterogeneously, with little consistency of data collection or clinical endpoints used. The most robust evidence was for the JAK inhibitor class, in particular the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor baricitinib. Five RCTs (three for baricitinib) demonstrated a consistent benefit of JAK inhibitor therapy over placebo across various clinical outcomes in adult patients with at least 50% scalp hair loss. Overall, hair regrowth varied widely for the other drug classes and was generally low for patients with moderate-to-severe AA. Relapses were commonly observed during treatment and upon discontinuation. Adverse effects were generally consistent with the known safety profile of each intervention. The heterogeneity observed prevented the conduct of a network meta-analysis or an indirect comparison of different treatments. We found that the current management of patients with moderate-to-severe AA often relies on the use of treatments that have not been well evaluated in clinical trials. The most robust evidence identified supported the use of baricitinib, and other oral JAK inhibitors, in patients with severe AA.

A male perspective on alopecia areata: are we doing enough?

There is a misconception that alopecia areata (AA) does not affect males to the same extent as females. A recent Alopecia UK study exploring men’s perspective on alopecia stated that men requested that the psychological impact of AA on men needs to be better recognized. Their results demonstrate that men can feel ‘isolated and self-conscious about their appearance within a society in which there exists minimal understanding of male AA’. A review from the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation raised the concern of suicide risk in young men and boys with AA. We share a 48-year-old man's experience of AA and the risks associated with his Janus kinase inhibitor therapy.

P83 Biologic and Janus kinase inhibitor therapy outcomes for severe psoriasis in trisomy 21

Abstract Trisomy 21 (T21) is strongly associated with autoimmune disease, including psoriasis. Little is known about biologic outcomes for severe psoriasis in T21. T21-associated immune dysregulation has implications for efficacy, safety and drug survival of biologic medications. The aim was to review the outcomes of patients with T21 and severe psoriasis treated with biologic agents or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in our region. Patients were identified via databases of the regional dermatology departments in the province of Munster, Ireland. Information on demographics, comorbidities, previous and current therapies and response to therapies was retrospectively collated. Adequate treatment response was defined as a physician global assessment score of zero (indicating clear skin), or one (indicating almost clear skin). Twenty-one patients were identified (mean age 24.7 years). Most (76%) did not have a first-degree relative with psoriasis. One-third (33%) of patients had arthritis, but all children (n = 6) had arthritis. Ninety per cent (n = 18/20) of trials of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors failed. Almost two-thirds (n = 7/11) of patients achieved adequate response with ustekinumab. All three patients treated with tofacitinib achieved adequate response following at least three biologic failures. The mean number of biologic/JAKi therapies received was 2.1, with an overall biologic/JAKi survival rate of 36%. Overall, 81% (n = 17/21) of patients required a switch from their index biologic treatment due to failure. The four patients who remained on their index biologic all received ustekinumab. In patients with T21 and severe psoriasis, failure of TNF-α inhibition is common, and ustekinumab therapy should be considered first line. There is an emerging role for JAKi.

Management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with Janus kinase inhibitor therapy: An evidence-based review

Management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with Janus kinase inhibitor therapy: An evidence-based review

Etrasimod as induction and maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis (ELEVATE): two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies

Etrasimod, a once-daily, oral, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator that selectively activates S1P receptor subtypes 1, 4, and 5, with no detectable activity on S1P2,3, is in development for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, including ulcerative colitis. In these two phase 3 trials, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of etrasimod in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. In two independent randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials, ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12, adults with active moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and an inadequate or loss of response or intolerance to at least one approved ulcerative colitis therapy were randomly assigned (2:1) to once-daily oral etrasimod 2 mg or placebo. Patients in ELEVATE UC 52 were enrolled from 315 centres in 40 countries. Patients in ELEVATE UC 12 were enrolled from 407 centres in 37 countries. Randomisation was stratified by previous exposure to biologicals or Janus kinase inhibitor therapy (yes vs no), baseline corticosteroid use (yes vs no), and baseline disease activity (modified Mayo score [MMS]; 4-6 vs 7-9). ELEVATE UC 52 comprised a 12-week induction period followed by a 40-week maintenance period with a treat-through design. ELEVATE UC 12 independently assessed induction at week 12. The primary efficacy endpoints were the proportion of patients with clinical remission at weeks 12 and 52 in ELEVATE UC 52 and week 12 in ELEVATE UC 12. Safety was evaluated in both trials. ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12 were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03945188 and NCT03996369, respectively. Patients in ELEVATE UC 52 were enrolled between June 13, 2019, and Jan 28, 2021. Patients in ELEVATE UC 12 were enrolled between Sept 15, 2020, and Aug 12, 2021. ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12 screened 821 patients and 606 patients, respectively, with 433 and 354 subsequently undergoing random assignment. The full analysis set of ELEVATE UC 52 comprised 289 patients assigned to etrasimod and 144 to placebo. In ELEVATE UC 12, 238 patients were assigned to etrasimod and 116 to placebo. In ELEVATE UC 52, a significantly greater proportion of patients in the etrasimod group achieved clinical remission compared with patients in the placebo group at completion of the 12-week induction period (74 [27%] of 274 patients vs ten [7%] of 135 patients; p<0·0001) and at week 52 (88 [32%] of 274 patients vs nine [7%] of 135 patients; p<0·0001). In ELEVATE UC 12, 55 (25%) of 222 patients in the etrasimod group had clinical remission compared with 17 (15%) of 112 patients in the placebo group at the end of the 12-week induction period (p=0·026). Adverse events were reported in 206 (71%) of 289 patients in the etrasimod group and 81 (56%) of 144 patients in the placebo group in ELEVATE UC 52 and 112 (47%) of 238 patients in the etrasimod group and 54 (47%) of 116 patients in the placebo group in ELEVATE UC 12. No deaths or malignancies were reported. Etrasimod was effective and well tolerated as an induction and maintenance therapy in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Etrasimod is a treatment option with a unique combination of attributes that might address the persistent unmet needs of patients with ulcerative colitis. Arena Pharmaceuticals.

Severe allergic dysregulation due to a gain of function mutation in the transcription factor STAT6

Inborn errors of immunity have been implicated in causing immune dysregulation, including allergic diseases. STAT6 is a key regulator of allergic responses. This study sought to characterize a novel gain-of-function STAT6 mutation identified in a child with severe allergic manifestations. Whole-exome and targeted gene sequencing, lymphocyte characterization, and molecular and functional analyses of mutated STAT6 were performed. This study reports a child with a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of STAT6 (c.1114G>A, p.E372K) who presented with severe atopic dermatitis, eosinophilia, and elevated IgE. Naive lymphocytes from the affected patient displayed increased TH2- and suppressed TH1- and TH17-cell responses. The mutation augmented both basal and cytokine-induced STAT6 phosphorylation without affecting dephosphorylation kinetics. Treatment with the Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib reversed STAT6 hyperresponsiveness to IL-4, normalized TH1 and TH17 cells, suppressed the eosinophilia, and improved the patient's atopic dermatitis. This study identified a novel inborn error of immunity due to a STAT6 gain-of-function mutation that gave rise to severe allergic dysregulation. Janus kinase inhibitor therapy could represent an effective targeted treatment for this disorder.

Clinical Issues-January 2023.

Janus kinase inhibitor therapy and venous thromboembolism risk factors Key words: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, extended-duration prophylaxis. Identifying validated venous thromboembolism risk assessment tools Key words: venous thromboembolism (VTE) protocol, Caprini risk assessment model (RAM), risk identification, clinical workflow, bleeding risk. Timing of the preoperative venous thromboembolism risk assessment Key words: Caprini risk assessment model (RAM), venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, patient assessment, presurgical testing visit, family history. Communicating venous thromboembolism and bleeding risk after surgery Key words: venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, bleeding risk, hand over, postanesthesia care unit RN, intraoperative events.

Splenic Irradiation Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Patients with Myelofibrosis

Background: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a clonal stem cell neoplasm characterized by excess fibrous tissue formation in the bone marrow. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative treatment for MF. Patients with MF often have compensatory splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis leading to splenomegaly, which is associated with delayed engraftment and decreased survival post-HCT. Several Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are approved to treat splenomegaly and systemic symptoms in MF patients. However, JAK inhibitor therapy does not always lead to complete resolution of splenomegaly. Therefore, splenic irradiation (RT) prior to HCT may benefit patients with persistent splenomegaly, yet research investigating outcomes of this therapeutic approach is limited. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study of MF patients to characterize the feasibility of splenic RT and assess engraftment rates and post-transplant outcomes with this approach. Forty-eight MF patients who underwent HCT at Massachusetts General Hospital between 2011 to 2021 were identified using an institutional transplant database. Patient disease- and transplant-related characteristics were summarized according to splenic RT within 3 months prior to transplant. Results: Baseline disease- and transplant-related characteristics are displayed in Table 1. Among all patients, twenty-nine (60%) were male, and the median age was 67 years (range, 53-77). All patients received reduced intensity conditioning, with a majority (81%) receiving fludarabine with melphalan. Seventy-three percent of patients had a JAK2 mutation and 46% received ruxolitinib (RUX) prior to HCT. A total of 17 (35%) patients received splenic RT prior to transplant. Splenic RT ranged from 2 daily doses of 1 Gy to 5 daily doses of 1.5 Gy, with total radiation ranging from 2 Gy to 7.5 Gy. Splenic RT was administered at a median of 13 days prior to transplant (range, 7-69 days). All splenic RT patients had splenomegaly prior to transplant, and 11 (65%) were treated with RUX prior to HCT. Patients receiving splenic RT had significantly larger spleen sizes prior to transplant (23.1 v. 17.3 cm, p<0.01), and were more likely to have at least one high molecular risk (HMR) mutation than patients in the no RT group (83% v. 33%, p=0.01). For the entire cohort, the median days to neutrophil engraftment and platelet engraftment was 14 and 23, respectively. Among splenic RT patients, there was one case of primary graft failure and one case of secondary graft failure. The median days to neutrophil engraftment was 15 (IQR, 13-19) for the RT group and 13 (IQR, 12-14) for the no RT group (p=0.07). The median days to platelet engraftment was 32 (IQR, 25-108) for the RT group and 22 (IQR, 18-25) for the no RT group (p<0.01). Three splenic RT patients (18%) died early without platelet engraftment. When RUX was accounted, patients with RT and RUX had a substantially delayed platelet engraftment compared to no RT and/or no RUX (69.5 days vs 19.5-22.5 days, p=0.03) [Figure 1]. For the entire cohort, the 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was 67% (95%CI: 50%-79%) and 61% (95%CI: 45%-74%), respectively. The cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse was 26% (95%CI: 13%-40%) and 13% (95%CI: 5%-24%), respectively. Despite delayed platelet engraftment, survival outcomes were not different between RT and no RT, regardless of pre-HCT RUX exposure. Conclusion: Splenic RT administration prior to HCT appears feasible and associated with acceptable engraftment and clinical outcomes for MF patients with splenomegaly at the time of transplant. The persistence of massive splenomegaly at transplant following pre-transplant RUX is likely indicative of higher risk disease and remains associated with longer time to platelet engraftment, despite the addition of splenic RT. Larger prospective studies are required to fully assess the clinical impact of splenic RT in the transplant setting, especially in combination with other therapeutic strategies. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Preliminary Data from the Phase I/II Study of TP-3654, a Selective Oral PIM1 Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients with Myelofibrosis Previously Treated with or Ineligible for JAK Inhibitor Therapy

Introduction: Myelofibrosis (MF) is characterized by bone marrow (BM) fibrosis, ineffective hematopoiesis, splenomegaly, and debilitating symptoms. Expression of PIM-1 is significantly upregulated in MF hematopoietic cells, supporting exploration of PIM-1 as a potential therapeutic target in MF. TP-3654 is a highly selective oral investigational PIM-1 kinase inhibitor. When administered alone and in combination with ruxolitinib, TP-3654 reduced spleen size and BM fibrosis in JAK2V617F and MPLW515L murine MF models (Dutta, 2021). In addition, TP-3654 decreased cytokine response genes and serum TGF-b in progenitor cells and JAK2V617F mice, respectively. TP-3654 showed less hematopoietic inhibition than Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (ruxolitinib, pacritinib and momelotinib) in in vitro human megakaryocyte and erythrocyte cell colony formation. Methods: This Phase I/II study evaluates the safety and efficacy of TP-3654 monotherapy in patients with MF (NCT04176198). Key eligibility criteria include primary or secondary MF; intermediate or high-risk MF per DIPSS; previously treated with or ineligible for JAK inhibitor treatment; grade ≥2 BM fibrosis; platelet count ≥25x109/L; absolute neutrophil count ≥1x109/L; splenomegaly; and ≥2 measurable symptoms. The study aims to identify the maximum tolerated dose and/or recommended Phase II dose using a Bayesian logistic regression model (BLRM) with overdose control, and to assess clinical activity (spleen volume reduction [SVR], total symptom score [TSS] improvement, and BM fibrosis reduction), safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic markers in peripheral blood and BM biopsies. Results: As of 11 July 2022, 8 patients were enrolled across 5 dose levels in the dose escalation phase. At baseline, median age was 70 years (range, 61 to 77), median spleen volume was 2370 cm3 (range, 1189 to 4407), median total symptom score was 19 (range, 4 to 62), median platelet count was 120 x109/L (range 68 to 237), median hemoglobin was 10.1 g/dL (range, 5.9 to 13.7), and two patients were transfusion-dependent. All patients had received prior treatment with at least one JAK inhibitor. Median duration of prior JAK inhibitor treatment was 35 weeks (range, 13 to 269). Six patients had JAK2V16F mutation, 2 patients had CALR mutation. The median duration of TP-3654 treatment was 21 weeks (range, 1 to 45). No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurring in >20% of patients included mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs included only 1 case of vomiting. No hematological TRAEs were reported. No discontinuation due to AE occurred. SVR was observed in 5 out of 6 evaluable patients (median best change -14%, range -3.2% to -35%) (Figure 1). Symptom improvement was observed in 5 out of 6 evaluable patients (median best change -70%, range -32 to -100%). A panel of cytokines were evaluated in plasma samples obtained at baseline and during TP-3654 treatment. Reductions in cytokines (TGF-b, IL-18, VEGF, RANTES, MMP-9, and TIMP-1) were observed after TP-3654 treatment (Figure 2). Patients with higher cytokine reductions correlated with higher reduction in total symptom score. Enrollment is ongoing, updated data will be presented. Conclusions: The preliminary clinical data in dose escalation show: 1) encouraging signs of clinical activity in spleen volume reduction, symptom improvement, and cytokine reduction with TP-3654 monotherapy in patients previously treated with JAK inhibitors, 2) TP-3654 is well tolerated with limited myelosuppressive adverse events. The non-clinical findings and preliminary clinical safety/efficacy data support accelerated development and assessment of TP-3654 as the optimal partner for combination with JAK inhibitors. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal