What to Know About the FDA Approval of momelotinib
MPNRF | September 21, 2023
MPN Research Foundation is pleased to share the news of the US FDA approval of momelotinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis patients with anemia whether they have had prior treatment or not. Let’s break down what the approval of this new drug means for those impacted by MPNs:
- • Treatment options are expanding. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are targeted therapies for myelofibrosis that reduce the palpable spleen size to 50% of the baseline measurement in approximately 40% of patients and improve symptoms in the majority of them. In addition to this most recent approval, other currently approved JAK inhibitors include ruxolitinib, fedratinib, and pacritinib.
- • Answers an unmet need for myelofibrosis patients with anemia. Anemia is a symptom of the disease that can be made worse by JAK inhibitor therapies. Momelotinib is a JAK1/2 inhibitor, which treats the cancer symptoms, but it also targets another pathway called ACVR1 that is thought to protect against anemia.
- • New tool in the MF toolbox. This new approval underscores an exciting time as research into this complex disease is active. Many more clinical trials are underway looking at new targeted drugs used either alone or in combination with other medications already approved for MF bringing us closer than ever to a cure for MF.
“The approval of momelotinib is a welcome addition to the JAK inhibitor class of treatments for myelofibrosis patients, giving us more options in the clinic to address disease manifestations like anemia,” says Raajit Rampal, MD, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering, Medical Advisor to MPN Research Foundation. “While we continue our investigations into underlying disease biology and agents that may prevent, slow or stop disease progression, having another option to treat this disease brings patients and physicians more peace of mind.”