On December 5, 2016 NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, reported advances in precision oncology using the Prosigna Breast Cancer Gene Signature Assay and the PAM50 gene signature, the basis for Prosigna, will be presented at the 2016 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) (Press release, NanoString Technologies, DEC 5, 2016, View Source [SID1234516969]). In addition, numerous customers will be presenting data generated using NanoString’s nCounter Analysis System, including several involving immuno-oncology.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"The volume and impact of the clinical research being presented at the SABCS underscores our commitment to improving the lives of breast cancer patients," said Brad Gray, president and chief executive officer of NanoString Technologies. "These studies demonstrate that our Prosigna Assay can improve decision-making in early-stage breast cancer today, and that a modified companion diagnostic version of this assay has future potential in triple negative breast cancer. The studies also show that our nCounter Analysis System is continuing to grow in prominence as an important tool among breast cancer researchers."

NanoString and its collaborators will present three oral presentations and fourteen posters covering Prosigna/PAM50 and other nCounter-based research at SABCS, which is being held December 6-10, 2016.

Following are details for each presentation of data involving Prosigna and the PAM50 gene signature (all times are in Central Standard Time):

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Abstract: P1-07-10
Poster: Prediction of 10 year distant recurrence (DR) using the Prosigna (PAM50) assay in histological subgroups of a Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) cohort of postmenopausal Danish women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early breast cancer (EBC) allocated to 5yr of endocrine therapy (ET) alone
Authors: Laenkholm A-V, Jensen M-B, Buckingham W, Schaper C, Knoop A, Eriksen JO, Rasmussen BB, Ferree S, Haffner T, Kiboel T, Ejlertsen B.
Location: Hall 1
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Abstract: P1-09-09
Poster: Efficacy and gene expression results from SOLTI1007 NEOERIBULIN phase II clinical trial in HER2-negative early breast cancer
Authors: Prat A, Ortega V, Villagrasa P, Paré L, Galván P, Oliveira M, Nucíforo P, Lluch A, Morales S, Amillano K, Lopez R, Gonzalez R, Manso L, Martinez J, Llombart A, De la Peňa L, Di Cosimo S, Rubio IT, Harbeck N, Baselga J, Cortés J
Location: Hall 1
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 8, 2016

Abstract: P2-05-04
Poster: Evaluation of intra-tumor heterogeneity, test reproducibility and their impact in breast cancer samples assessed by Prosigna: results from a Decision Impact prospective study and a matched case-control study
Authors: Rouzier R, Bonneau C, Cayre A, Hequet D, Gentien D, Bonhomme A, Mouret-Reynier M-A, Dubot C, Cottu P, Roulot A, Morel P, Salomon A, Callens C, Guinebretiere J-M, Penault-Llorca F
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: P2-03-03
Poster: Molecular differences between screen-detected and interval breast cancers are largely explained by PAM50 subtypes
Authors: Czene K, Ivansson E, Klevebring D, Tobin NP, Lindström LS, Holm J, Prochazka G, Hilliges C, Palmgren J, Törnberg S, Humphreys K, Hartman J, Frisell J, Rantalainen M, Lindberg J, Hall P, Bergh J, Grönberg H, Li J
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: P2-05-16
Poster: Establishment of molecular profiling for individual treatment decisions in early breast cancer – clinical impact of PAM50 and PAM50 risk of recurrence score after more than 16 years follow up.
Authors: Naume B, Borgen E, Falk RS, Ohnstad HO, Lien TG, Aaserud M, Sveli MAT, Kyte JA, Kristensen V, Geitvik G, Schlichting E, Wist E, Sørlie T, Russnes H
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: S3-03
Oral Session: General Session 3
Poster: PAM50 intrinsic subtype as a predictor of pathological complete response following neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade without chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer: First results of the PAMELA clinical trial
Authors: Prat Aparicio A, Cortes Castan J, Pare L, Galvan P, Bermejo B, Martínez N, Vidal M, Pernas S, Lόpez R, Muñoz M, Nuciforo P, Fasani R, Morales S, Oliveira M, de La Peña L, Peláez A, Llombart A
Location: Hall 3
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Friday, December 9, 2016

Abstract: S6-05
Oral Session: General Session 6: Comprehensive comparison of prognostic signatures for breast cancer in TransATAC
Authors: Sestak I, Buus R, Cuzick J, Dubsky P, Kronenwett R, Ferree S, Sgroi D, Schnabel C, Baehner R, Mallon E, Dowsett M.
Location: Hall 3
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, December 10, 2016

Abstract: P6-07-01
Poster: Development of a Prosigna (PAM50)-based classifier for the selection of advanced triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients for treatment with enzalutamide
Authors: Danaher P, Skewis L, Mashadi-Hossein A, Carey C, Ram N, Gowen-MacDonald J, Harris E, Cesano A, Ferree S, Uppal H, Buckingham W.
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Additional abstracts and posters demonstrate the diverse applications and robust performance of the nCounter Analysis System in immuno-oncology and biomarker validation, including:

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Abstract: P1-05-22
Poster: The value of RNA-Seq for the detection of clinically actionable targets in breast cancer – A small cohort analysis
Authors: Meissner T, Amallraja A, Mark A, Andrews A, Connolly C, Young B, De P, Williams C, Leyland-Jones B
Location: Hall 1
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 8, 2016

Abstract: P2-04-07
Poster: Immune profiling of post neoadjuvant high metastatic risk (RCB-II/III) residual disease in patients with early triple negative breast cancers
Authors: Irshad S, Cheang M, Gazinka P, Naidoo K, Buus R, Pinder S, Dowsett M, Tutt A
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: P2-04-19
Poster: Elucidating the tumor immune microenvironment phenotype in early stage untreated BRCA mutated breast cancer patients
Authors: Force J, Abbott S, Broadwater G, Kimmick G, Westbrook K, Hwang S, Kauff N, Stashko I, Weinhold K, Nair S, Hyslop T, Blackwell K, Castellar E, Marcom PK
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: S4-01
Oral Session: General Session: A novel BRD4 inhibitor enhances endocrine therapy efficacy and circumvents endocrine-resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer models
Authors: De Angelis C, Nardone A, Cataldo ML, Fu X, Trivedi M, Yi S, Breckenridge D, Chamnsess GC, Vitorino P, Osborne CK, Schiff R
Location: Hall 3
Time: 3:15 – 5:00 p.m.

Abstract: PD5-06
Poster: Prognostic value of molecular tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (mTIL) signatures in HER2-positive breast cancer patients in N9831 and FinHer/FinXX trials
Authors: Chumsri S, Serie DJ, Mashadi-Hossein A, Tenner KS, Lauttia SL, Moreno-Aspitia A, McLaughlin SA, Nassar A, Warren S, Danaher P, Colon-Otero G, Lindman H, Joensuu H, Perez EA, Thompson EA
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 1&2 – 3rd Level
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 9, 2016

Abstract: P4-07-06
Poster: MicroRNAs associated with acquired taxane resistance in a breast cancer cell line model
Authors: Taylor KJ, Chong T, D’Costa A, Yao C, Gourley C, Cameron DA, Bartlett JMS, Spears M
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: P4-12-09
Poster: The immune response in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Gillgrass AE, Pond GR, Levine MN, Whelan TJ, Hassell JA, Bane AL
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 10, 2016

Abstract: P6-07-07
Poster: ESR1 amplification and 5′-3′ exon imbalance in metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Oesterreich S, Basudan A, Preideigkeit N, Hartmaier RJ, Bahreini A, Gyanchandani R, Leone JP, Lucas PC, Hamilton RL, Brufsky AM, Lee AV
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Abstract: P6-09-47
Poster: The development of personalized diagnostic tests and therapeutic strategies in breast cancer
Authors: Kutasovic JR, Rozali E, Miranda M, Lakhani SR, Al-Ejeh F
Location: Hall 1
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
You can learn more about the Prosigna Breast Cancer Gene Signature at booth #525.

On December 5, 2016 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA), a rare cancer-focused innovative biotechnology company, reported clinical data on brigatinib, its investigational anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor, from the ongoing Phase 1/2 and pivotal ALTA trials in patients with ALK-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and intracranial central nervous system (CNS) metastases (Press release, Ariad, DEC 5, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2227425 [SID1234516925]). These data, being presented today at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 17th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) being held in Vienna, showed that in patients with measurable brain metastases, the confirmed intracranial objective response rate (ORR) was 53 percent in the Phase 1/2 trial, and the confirmed intracranial ORR was 67 percent in Arm B (brigatinib 180 mg with seven-day lead-in at 90 mg once daily) in the ALTA trial. Median intracranial progression-free survival (PFS) in ALTA Arm B was 18.4 months.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Although crizotinib is initially effective in most patients with advanced ALK rearranged lung cancer, patients eventually develop resistance to crizotinib, often with new or progressive brain metastases," said presenting author Scott N. Gettinger, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Yale Cancer Center. "We are clearly encouraged by these data that demonstrate efficacy in the brain, with median intracranial PFS of over one and a half years, in patients with crizotinib refractory disease."

The ALTA Trial

The ALTA (ALK in Lung Cancer Trial of AP26113) trial enrolled 222 patients with ALK+ NSCLC who had been treated with and experienced disease progression on their most recent crizotinib therapy. Patients were randomized one-to-one to receive either 90 mg of brigatinib once per day (QD) (Arm A), or 180 mg QD with a seven-day lead-in at 90 mg QD (Arm B). In addition, patients were stratified by presence of brain metastases at baseline and best response to prior crizotinib therapy. Patient enrollment is complete, with the last patient enrolled in September 2015. Median follow-up in all patients with intracranial CNS metastases at baseline enrolled in the ALTA trial was 10.7 months as of May 31, 2016.

Phase 1/2 Study

The Phase 1/2 study of brigatinib included a dose-escalation portion that enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly those with NSCLC, who were either refractory to available therapies or had no standard treatment available to them. The Phase 2 portion of the trial includes five expansion cohorts. The trial enrolled 137 patients with 79 patients having ALK+ NSCLC. All but eight ALK+ NSCLC patients had failed prior crizotinib therapy. Patient enrollment in the trial is complete, with the last patient enrolled in July 2014. Median follow-up in ALK+ NSCLC patients with intracranial CNS metastases at baseline in the Phase 1/2 study was 24.9 months as of May 31, 2016.

Key Data from Oral Presentation on Patients with Baseline CNS Metastases from Phase 1/2 and ALTA Trials

Follow-up Data as of May 31, 2016; Last IRC Data in ALTA Trial was July 13, 2016, and Last Brain Scan in Phase 1/2 Trial was October 8, 2015

In the Phase 1/2 trial of brigatinib, 50/79 (63%) of ALK+ NSCLC patients had IRC-assessed baseline brain metastases. In the ALTA trial, 153/222 (69%) of ALK+ NSCLC patients had IRC-assessed baseline brain metastases. The efficacy analysis of Phase 1/2 trial data was based on an evaluable population (patients with at least one on-study brain scan, n=46), and the analysis of ALTA trial data was based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (n=153).
As of May 31, 2016, 42 percent and 55 percent of ALK+ NSCLC patients with brain metastases at baseline remained on study in the Phase 1/2 and ALTA populations respectively.
For patients with measurable brain lesions, the confirmed intracranial ORR was 53 percent (8/15) in the Phase 1/2 trial, and confirmed intracranial ORRs were 67 percent (12/18) in Arm B and 46 percent (12/26) in Arm A in the ALTA trial.
There were 31 patients in the Phase 1/2 trial with only non-measurable brain lesions, and of these, 35 percent had complete resolution of lesions. In ALTA, there were 55 patients in Arm B and 54 in Arm A with only non-measurable lesions; of these, 18 percent and seven percent of patients, respectively, had complete resolution of lesions.
For patients with any brain metastases at baseline:
Median duration of intracranial response in confirmed responders was 11.4 months in the Phase 1/2 trial (n=19); and was not yet reached in either arm of the ALTA trial (n=22 in Arm B and n=16 in Arm A).
Median intracranial PFS was 14.6 months in the Phase 1/2 trial (n=46); and 18.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.8 – not reached) and 15.6 months (95% CI 9.0-18.3 months) in ALTA Arm B and Arm A, respectively (n=73/n=80).
In the Phase 1/2 trial (n=46), for patients with any brain metastases at baseline, investigator-assessed whole-body ORR was 74 percent, median duration of response was 24 months and median PFS was 14.5 months. In ALTA (Arms B and A, respectively), for patients with any brain metastases at baseline, investigator-assessed whole-body ORR was 58 percent and 39 percent, median duration of response was not yet reached and 12 months, and median PFS was 12.9 months and 9.2 months.
In patients with any brain metastases at baseline in the ALTA trial, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), grade 3 or higher (excluding neoplasm progression), were (n=151 treated; Arm B/A): increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) (12%/1%), hypertension (7%/4%), increased lipase (3%/4%), malignant pleural effusion (1%/4%) and pneumonia (4%/1%).
The oral presentation, "Brigatinib Activity in Patients with ALK+ NSCLC and Intracranial CNS Metastases in Two Clinical Trials," (Abstract #4374, Oral ID OA08.06) will be presented today, Monday, December 5, 2016 in the Schubert 1 Auditorium at 11:57 am ET/16:57 GMT.

Investor and Analyst Briefing and Webcast

Timothy P. Clackson, Ph.D., president of research and development and chief scientific officer of ARIAD will host an investor and analyst briefing on Wednesday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. Central European Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the data presented at WCLC. Dr. Clackson will be joined by Karen Reckamp, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research and co-director of the Lung Cancer and Thoracic Oncology Program at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center (COHCCC).

The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the investor relations section of the Company’s website at View Source The call can be accessed by dialing 844-249-9386 (domestic) or 270-823-1534 (international) five minutes prior to the start time and providing the pass code 20888507. A replay of the call will be available on the ARIAD website approximately two hours after completion of the call and will be archived for three weeks.

About Brigatinib

Brigatinib is an investigational, targeted cancer medicine discovered internally at ARIAD. Brigatinib received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA for the treatment of patients with ALK+ NSCLC whose tumors are resistant to crizotinib, and was granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC. The FDA has accepted brigatinib’s New Drug Application based on data from an earlier datacut, and has granted ARIAD’s request for Priority Review. The FDA has set an action date of April 29, 2017 under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). ARIAD intends to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for brigatinib to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in early 2017, based on this datacut.

ARIAD has also initiated the Phase 3 ALTA 1L trial to assess the efficacy and safety of brigatinib in comparison to crizotinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who have not received prior treatment with an ALK inhibitor. More information on brigatinib clinical trials, as well as the expanded access program (EAP) for ALK+ NSCLC can be found here.

On December 5, 2016 Novartis reported results from the first-ever international survey of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), specifically myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET), which indicate that the majority of patients living with these MPNs experience a reduced quality of life (Press release, Novartis, DEC 5, 2016, View Source [SID1234516970]). The findings also reveal that many patients struggle with emotional distress and experience a negative impact on their ability to work. These data were presented for the first time at the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA (abstract #4267, 12/5/16 6:00 PM PDT)[1].

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

MPNs are a group of rare and life-threatening blood cancers. People living with an MPN can have a poor quality of life and shortened survival rate[2]. Two of the most debilitating MPNs are MF and PV, as compared to ET[3]. MF and PV are associated with a range of symptoms and complications, including fatigue, night sweats, itchy skin, enlarged spleen and cardiovascular events[2-5]. The international MPN LANDMARK Survey included 699 patients with representation across six countries and four continents and was conducted to gain a better understanding of how MPNs impact a patient’s quality of life, activities of daily living, work productivity and emotional well-being[1].

"Rare blood cancers like MPNs are often not well-recognized, yet these diseases can have a significant impact on even the simplest tasks in a patient’s daily life," said Bruno Strigini, CEO of Novartis Oncology. "We hope the survey results illuminate the awareness of these debilitating blood cancers, emphasizing the need to help optimize patient care."

In the international survey, patients reported that their disease negatively impacted their ability to complete daily activities by 40%. Patients also noted a 35% impairment on their capacity to work. Furthermore, employed patients who missed work over the last seven days due to their disease reported missing an average of 3.1 hours due to their disease and/or symptom burden[1].

"These results help quantify the daily difficulty of living with an MPN, which can help patients explain disease burden to family, friends, colleagues and physicians who may be unfamiliar with these conditions," said Dr. Claire Harrison, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom. "The survey results also help paint the full picture of the impact of the disease, which will enable physicians to manage the total patient in hopes of increasing quality of life."

Results also demonstrated that more than 75% of patients who experienced symptoms suffered a significant reduction in quality of life due to their symptoms (83% of MF patients, 72% of PV patients, 74% of ET patients); these numbers are consistent with previously-reported literature[2],[6]. The most commonly-reported symptom across disease areas in the last 12 months was fatigue (54% of MF patients, 45% of PV patients, 64% of ET patients), which was also the symptom patients cited they most wanted to resolve. In addition to physical symptoms, approximately one-third of patients in the study felt anxious or worried about their disease, with the greatest impact seen on those with MF and PV (34% of MF patients, 29% of PV patients, 26% of ET patients)[1].

About the International MPN LANDMARK Survey
The international MPN LANDMARK survey is a cross-sectional survey of patients with MPNs (myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET)) and physicians who treat these conditions across Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and Australia. Patients (174 MF, 223 PV, 302 ET) who partook in the survey completed an online questionnaire to measure MPN-related symptoms experienced over the past year and the impact of their condition on their quality of life and ability to work. Additional survey results will be presented next year.

Findings from the international survey complement results from the Incyte-funded MPN LANDMARK survey conducted in the US[1].

About Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of related and rare blood cancers in which bone marrow cells responsible for the body’s blood cells develop and function abnormally. Specific MPN conditions include myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET)[4],[5],[7].

In patients with MF, their bone marrow can no longer produce enough normal blood cells, causing the spleen to enlarge[8]. MF affects approximately one in every 100,000 people and has similar survival rates as other malignancies, such as breast cancer and colon cancer[2],[9-12].

PV is associated with an overproduction of blood cells that can cause serious cardiovascular complications if left inadequately controlled, such as blood clots, stroke and heart attack[5],[13]. PV affects up to three per 100,000 people globally each year[2],[5].

ET is characterized by an overproduction of platelets and complications which commonly include blood clotting and/or bleeding[7].

On December 4, 2016 Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:XLRN) and Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG), reported preliminary Phase 2 results from the ongoing three-month base and long-term extension studies with investigational drug luspatercept in patients with lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) in San Diego, California (Press release, Acceleron Pharma, DEC 4, 2016, View Source [SID1234516906]). Luspatercept is being developed as part of the global collaboration between Acceleron and Celgene.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are encouraged by the additional luspatercept data from the ongoing Phase 2 studies," said Michael Pehl, President, Hematology and Oncology for Celgene. "These data further support luspatercept’s potential in treating a broader spectrum of MDS patients. We are evaluating opportunities to expand our clinical program to include additional MDS patient populations, as we advance our Phase 3 MEDALIST trial in RS+ patients."

Luspatercept Phase 2 Data in First-line, ESA treatment-naive MDS Patients

In lower-risk MDS patients who have not received prior treatment with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) and have erythropoietin (EPO) levels ≤ 500 IU, luspatercept three-month base study data demonstrated encouraging rates of transfusion independence and International Working Group Hematologic Improvement – Erythroid (IWG HI-E) response criteria.

Transfusion Burden IWG HI-E, n/N (%) RBC-TI, n/N (%)
Base N=64 Extension N=42 Base N=49 Extension N=28
All 12/20 (60%) 13/16 (81%) 9/12 (75%) 8/10 (80%)
Low Transfusion Burden 6/13 (46%) 8/11 (73%) 5/5 (100%) 5/5 (100%)
High Transfusion Burden 6/7 (86%) 5/5 (100%) 4/7 (57%) 3/5 (60%)

Luspatercept Phase 2 Data in Ring Sideroblast Positive (RS+) and Negative (RS-) in MDS Patients

In patients with EPO levels < 200, response rates were similar in both RS+ and RS- patients
In the patients with EPO levels ≥ 200 to ≤ 500, luspatercept response rates remained encouraging in those patients who are RS+

Baseline EPO
(U/L)

RS
Status
IWG HI-E, n/N (%) RBC-TI, n/N (%)

Base
N=64*

Extension
N=42*

Base
N=49*

Extension
N=28*

< 200 RS+ 18/29 (62%) 19/23 (83%) 13/19 (68%) 10/14 (71%)
RS- 2/5 (40%) 3/3 (100%) 1/4 (25%) 1/2 (50%)
≥ 200 to ≤ 500 RS+ 5/11 (46%) 7/8 (88%) 3/9 (33%) 3/5 (60%)
RS- 0/3 (0%) 0/1 (0%) 2/2 (100%) 1/1 (100%)
*Table includes both ESA refractory and ESA naïve patients. Subjects treated at dose levels ≥ 0.75 mg/kg.

Luspatercept Phase 2 Safety Data

The majority of adverse events (AEs) were grade 1 or 2
There were four grade 3/serious AEs possibly or probably related to study drug as of November 28, 2016: blast cell count increase, myalgia, worsening of general condition, progression to AML
Adverse events at least possibly related to study drug that occurred in at least 2 patients during studies were diarrhea, fatigue, headache, hypertension, arthralgia, bone pain, injection site erythema, myalgia and peripheral edema.
Luspatercept is an investigational product that is not approved for use in any country.

The MEDALIST Trial, a global Phase 3 study in patients with very low, low, or intermediate risk, MDS with ring sideroblasts who require red blood cell transfusions, is currently enrolling.

The poster presentation of the ongoing Phase 2 studies is available on Acceleron’s website (www.acceleronpharma.com) under the Science tab.

On December 4, 2016 Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) reported an exploratory pooled analysis of data from the five-year follow-up of the Phase 3 COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II trials which further supports previously published overall survival findings and suggests that earlier treatment with Jakafi (ruxolitinib) may result in an improved survival advantage for patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF) than best available therapy (BAT) or placebo (Press release, Incyte, DEC 4, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2227338 [SID1234516907]). These data also reinforce previous long-term results observed with ruxolitinib compared with controls (BAT or placebo).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Understanding how earlier treatment with Jakafi may impact overall survival for appropriate patients with myelofibrosis is critical as physicians look to identify the most effective treatment approach for patients with this rare and debilitating disease," said Peg Squier, M.D., Ph.D., Incyte’s Head of U.S. Medical Affairs.

The 5-year, intent-to-treat analysis of pooled data from two Phase 3 studies showed prolonged survival for patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk MF randomized to ruxolitinib, with the risk of death reduced by 30 percent for patients who received ruxolitinib compared with the control groups. Ruxolitinib also exhibited an overall survival (OS) advantage in various patient subgroup analyses including age, sex, disease type, risk status, JAK2V617F mutation status, baseline spleen length, anemia, white blood cell count, and platelet count. Additionally, using data-modeling techniques aimed at correcting for crossover delay, overall survival advantage was more pronounced for patients who were randomized to receive ruxolitinib at the start of the trial compared with patients who crossed over from control to ruxolitinib.

These data are scheduled for presentation today at the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2016 taking place in San Diego, California.

Results from the COMFORT-I & COMFORT-II Pooled Analysis
The double-blind COMFORT-I trial and the open-label COMFORT-II trial were both randomized Phase 3 studies that evaluated the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib in 528 patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk primary MF, post–polycythemia vera MF, or post–essential thrombocythemia MF. Across the pooled analysis, there were a total of 301 patients randomized to ruxolitinib (COMFORT-I, n=155; COMFORT-II, n=146), 227 to placebo in COMFORT-I (n=154) or to BAT in COMFORT-II (n=73).

In both COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II, patients were permitted to cross over to ruxolitinib from control treatment if they had progressive splenomegaly or a protocol-defined progression event. Crossover was mandatory following treatment unblinding in COMFORT 1. All continuing patients in the control arm in COMFORT II crossed over to ruxolitinib by the 3 year follow-up.

At the five-year intent-to-treat analysis, 42.5 percent (n=128) of the patients randomized to the ruxolitinib group died compared with 51.5 percent (n=117) of the patients randomized to the control group. Key findings include the following results:
Median overall survival for ruxolitinib was 5.3 years compared with 3.8 years for the control group.

Using a rank-preserving structural failure time modeling method, the OS advantage was more pronounced for patients originally randomized to ruxolitinib compared with patients who crossed over from control to ruxolitinib (median OS: ruxolitinib, 5.3 y; control, 2.3 y; HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23–0.59), which suggests that the delay in ruxolitinib treatment may be the underlying reason for the difference in survival.

This analysis (Abstract #3110) is being presented as a part of a poster session (#634) on Sunday, December 4, 2016, 6:00-8:00 PM PST, Hall GH.

About Myelofibrosis (MF)
MF is part of a group of related rare blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). In MF, a patient’s bone marrow can no longer produce enough normal blood cells, causing the spleen and or liver to enlarge.1 MF is a progressive disease, which leads to bone marrow scarring and significant debilitating disease-related symptoms such as anemia, fatigue, and itching which can result in a poor quality of life.2 Patients with MF have a decreased life expectancy, with an average survival of approximately five to six years.3 The cause of MF is unknown but is linked to genetic mutations—between 50% and 60% of people with MF have a specific mutation of the Janus Kinase 2 gene (JAK2).4

About Jakafi (ruxolitinib)
Jakafi is a first-in-class JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for treatment of people with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post–polycythemia vera MF, and post–essential thrombocythemia MF.

Jakafi is also indicated for treatment of people with polycythemia vera (PV) who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea.

Jakafi is marketed by Incyte in the United States and by Novartis as Jakavi (ruxolitinib) outside the United States. Jakafi is a registered trademark of Incyte Corporation. Jakavi is a registered trademark of Novartis AG in countries outside the United States.

Important Safety Information
Jakafi can cause serious side effects, including:
Low blood counts: Jakafi (ruxolitinib) may cause your platelet, red blood cell, or white blood cell counts to be lowered. If you develop bleeding, stop taking Jakafi and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will perform blood tests to check your blood counts before you start Jakafi and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of
Jakafi or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or a fever.

Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection: chills, nausea, vomiting, aches, weakness, fever, painful skin rash or blisters.
Skin cancers: Some people who take Jakafi have developed certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions.

Increases in Cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels during your treatment with Jakafi.

The most common side effects of Jakafi include: low platelet count, low red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache.
These are not all the possible side effects of Jakafi. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Before taking Jakafi, tell your healthcare provider about: all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking and all your medical conditions, including if you have an infection, have or had tuberculosis (TB), or have been in close contact with someone who has TB, have or had hepatitis B, have or had liver or kidney problems, are on dialysis, had skin cancer or have any other medical condition. Take Jakafi exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Do not change or stop taking Jakafi without first talking to your healthcare provider. Do not drink grapefruit juice while on Jakafi.

Women should not take Jakafi while pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if breast-feeding.
Full Prescribing Information, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks associated with Jakafi, is available at www.jakafi.com.