Uwe Platzbecker, MD, Discusses Phase III IMerge Data at EHA 2023

Uwe Platzbecker, MD, of the University Hospital Leipzig, discusses data from the phase III IMerge trial that was presented during the 2023 European Hematology Association Congress.

The study evaluated imetelstat versus placebo in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who were highly transfusion dependent.

“I introduced the final results of the IMerge phase III trial investigating imetelstat versus placebo in lower-risk MDS patients,” Dr. Platzbecker said. “…This trial met its primary endpoint, showing superiority of imetelstat versus placebo in eight-week red blood cell transfusion independence rates, which was actually achieved in 40% of the patients.”

Dr. Platzbecker said “disease modifying activity” was observed with imetelstat in the trial.

“Mutations like SFB31 declined in a substantial amount of patients and were also correlated with not only the response, but also the durability of response,” he said.

He also highlighted other key findings from the study.

“With regards to the durability of response, the median time was almost a year, and there was a substantial number of patients in achieving a one year or longer [transfusion independence] rate in this patient population,” he said. “From a safety perspective, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were the most common side effects, which however, resolved within four weeks in more than 80% of the patients.”

Dr. Platzbecker concluded by outlining what he sees as the next steps.

“Finally, I hope that this trial will actually lead to the approval of imetelstat in lower-risk MDS patients failing or being not eligible to [recieve erythropoiesis stimulating agent therapy],” he said. “I also do think that imetelstat will add significantly to the armamentarium of therapeutic agents in low-risk MDS.”