Patients with severe thalassemia (thalassemia major) present with severe anemia that required life-long transfusion therapy, spleen enlargement that led to increased transfusion requirement, and other serious complications as early death, growth retardation, bone deformations and iron overload due to blood transfusions. Splenectomy can significantly reduce transfusion requirement in thalassemia patients, but it is associated with an increased risk of serious complications such as sepsis and thrombosis. Preliminary preclinical and clinical data suggested that JAK2 inhibition, by reducing spleen size, could improve hemoglobin levels, thereby eliminating the need for splenectomy and reducing transfusion requirement and related iron overload.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Ruxolitinib was taken at a starting dose of 10 mg twice daily with dose adjustments within the range of 5 to 25 mg twice daily.
Novartis Investigative Site
Athens, GR, Greece
Novartis Investigative Site
Milan, MI, Italy
Novartis Investigative Site
Palermo, PA, Italy
Novartis Investigative Site
Beirut, Lebanon
Novartis Investigative Site
Bangkok, Thailand
Novartis Investigative Site
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Novartis Investigative Site
Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change of Hematocrit Adjusted Volume of Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Change of RBC transfusion requirement measured as percent change of the hematocrit-adjusted volume of transfused RBC and observed during within on-treatment interval (any time-points of RBC transfusion between week 6 and week 30 driven by the individual patient's need) compared to baseline (defined by pre-treatment interval between Week - 24 to start of treatment).
Time frame: week 6 to week 30 interval
Percentage Change in Spleen Volume (cm3)
Change of spleen volume from baseline at week 12 and week 30 as measured by magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) or computed tomography (CT).
Time frame: baseline, week 12, week 30
Percentage Change in Mean Pre-transfusion Hemoglobin by 6 Week Time Intervals
Change from baseline in pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels
Time frame: baseline, weeks 0 - 30
Percentage Change in Spleen Length (cm) Below the Left Coastal Margin
Change of spleen length from baseline over time measured by palpitation by time
Time frame: baseline, weeks 1,2,3,4,6,12,18,24,30
Pharmacokinetics (PK) Parameter of Cmin
C min of INC424 by actual dose administered from 10mg bid to 20mg bid. Plasma PK samples were collected at Day 15 (Week 2), and Day 85 (Week 12). Cmin was collected immediately prior to dosing. n= number of patients with valid PK samples as per definition of the PK analysis set.
Time frame: week 2, week 12
Pharmacokinetics (PK) Parameter of Cmax
Cmax (1h) of INC424 by actual dose administered from 10mg bid to 20mg bid. Plasma PK samples were collected at Day 1, Week 2, and Week 12. Cmax was collected within a +/- 1 hour post dose. n= number of patients with valid PK samples as per definition of the PK analysis set.
Time frame: Day 1, Week 2 (Day 15), Week 12 (Day 85)
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