Myelofibrosis disrupts the body’s normal production of blood cells. This can cause scarring in the bone marrow that leads to anemia, which can worsen over time. Hepcidin is a hormone produced in the liver that acts as an iron regulator which can cause anemia and chronic inflammation due to elevated levels in patients with myelofibrosis.
An abstract presented by Dr. Sanjay Mohan from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at the 2023 American Society of Hematology conference discussed results from a Phase 1/2 study looking at the use of a medication called zilurgisertib administered both by itself and in combination with ruxolitinib in patients with anemia due to myelofibrosis. Zilurgisertib is an activin receptor-like kinase-2 inhibitor. “Activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK-2) contributes to myelofibrosis-associated anemia via hepcidin upregulation.” This study is currently ongoing and recruiting.
Group 1: The study started patients at 50mg of zilurgisertib and increased dosage until the maximum tolerated dose was reached.
Group 2: The second group of the study started patients on ruxolitinib for the first 12 weeks, then introduced zilurgisertib at 100mg.
“Treatment with zilurgisertib monotherapy or in combination with ruxolitinib in this patient population was generally well tolerated,”
Anemia can be a serious condition for myelofibrosis patients. Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and dizziness can result from myelofibrosis and its effect on the bone marrow. This ongoing study has shown that, “reduced hepcidin levels were observed at all dose levels with both monotherapy and in combination with ruxolitinib, with greater control of hepcidin over time observed at higher zilurgisertib doses. Preliminary improvements in anemia were observed in non–transfusion-dependent patients during dose escalation, suggesting potential for therapeutic activity.”
Myelofibrosis disrupts the body’s normal production of blood cells. This can cause scarring in the bone marrow that leads to anemia, which can worsen over time. Hepcidin is a hormone produced in the liver that acts as an iron regulator which can cause anemia and chronic inflammation due to elevated levels in patients with myelofibrosis.
An abstract presented by Dr. Sanjay Mohan from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at the 2023 American Society of Hematology conference discussed results from a Phase 1/2 study looking at the use of a medication called zilurgisertib administered both by itself and in combination with ruxolitinib in patients with anemia due to myelofibrosis. Zilurgisertib is an activin receptor-like kinase-2 inhibitor. “Activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK-2) contributes to myelofibrosis-associated anemia via hepcidin upregulation.” This study is currently ongoing and recruiting.
Group 1: The study started patients at 50mg of zilurgisertib and increased dosage until the maximum tolerated dose was reached.
Group 2: The second group of the study started patients on ruxolitinib for the first 12 weeks, then introduced zilurgisertib at 100mg.
“Treatment with zilurgisertib monotherapy or in combination with ruxolitinib in this patient population was generally well tolerated,”
Anemia can be a serious condition for myelofibrosis patients. Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and dizziness can result from myelofibrosis and its effect on the bone marrow. This ongoing study has shown that, “reduced hepcidin levels were observed at all dose levels with both monotherapy and in combination with ruxolitinib, with greater control of hepcidin over time observed at higher zilurgisertib doses. Preliminary improvements in anemia were observed in non–transfusion-dependent patients during dose escalation, suggesting potential for therapeutic activity.”
about the author
Lisa Foster
Lisa Foster is a mom of 3 daughters, a puzzle lover, writer and HealthTree advocate. She believes in the mission of the foundation and the team that builds it forward. She calls Houston, Texas home.
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