Interferons in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms
The MPNAA has just become aware of this extensive article about interferon, written by US haematologists and published in 2024 in Therapeutic Advances in Hematology.
As so many more MPN patients are now being treated with interferon, we have copied the abstract as well as a link to the full article which is free to access.
The abstract explains that ‘Interferons are cytokines with immunomodulatory properties and disease-modifying effects that have been used to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) for more than 35?years. The initial use of interferons was limited due to difficulties with administration and a significant toxicity profile. Many of these shortcomings were addressed by covalently binding polyethylene glycol to the interferon structure, which increases the stability, prolongs activity, and reduces immunogenicity of the molecule.
In the current therapeutic landscape, pegylated interferons are recommended for use in the treatment of polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. We review recent efficacy, molecular response, and safety data for the two available pegylated interferons, peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) and ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (BESREMi). The practical management of interferon-based therapies is discussed, along with our opinions on whether to and how to switch from hydroxyurea to one of these therapies. Key topics and questions related to use of interferons, such as their safety and tolerability, the significance of variant allele frequency, advantages of early treatment, and what the future of interferon therapy may look like, will be examined. Pegylated interferons represent an important therapeutic option for patients with MPNs; however, more research is still required to further refine interferon therapy.’
Here is the link Interferons in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms
Momelotinib (OMJJARA) now on PBS
The MPN AA is delighted to advise that the Australian government has now approved the inclusion of momelotinib, now known as OMJJARA, onto the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Momelotinib was originally developed in Melbourne. A short news item about its approval is HERE.
What is momelotinib (OMJJARA) and how does it work?
Momelotinib is a JAK inhibitor, similar to Ruxolitinib. By inhibiting JAKs, ‘momelotinib reduces the inflammation resulting from abnormal production of blood cells which relieves splenomegaly and symptoms caused by myelofibrosis.’
Momelotinib also tackles the issue of anaemia. It ‘blocks an additional receptor on cancer cells involved in regulating iron levels in the body, which can mean an increase in the number of red blood cells available. This may result in improvement of anaemia, including the need for transfusion of red blood cells.’
The formal Australian government approval is as follows: ‘OMJJARA is indicated for the treatment of disease-related splenomegaly or symptoms in adult patients with moderate to severe anaemia who have primary myelofibrosis, post polycythaemia vera myelofibrosis or post essential thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis and who are Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor naïve or have been treated with ruxolitinib.’
The MPN AA is pleased to advise that we provided a submission to government supporting the availability of momelotinib on the PBS. MF patients who have anaemic myelofibrosis now have another much needed treatment option available to them.
A patient information brochure for momelotinib (Omjjara) has been prepared by the sponsor, and is available from the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) website.
It is titled Consumer Medicine Information and is the last link on that page – HERE.
The MPN AA has also provided a link to momelotinib (OMJJARA) patient information on our MPN Treatments pages.
We hope to provide further patient information on that treatment page in the next couple of weeks.
February 2025 MPN Education Foundation patient conference videos
Every two years the MPN Education Foundation hosts a wonderful patient conference in Scottsdale Arizona, with some of the most distinguished MPN expert presenters. The conference is titled the Joyce Niblack Memorial Conference, and is hosted by the Mayo Clinic.
We are very fortunate to be able to view the conference video presentations and slides.
Here is a list of presenters and topics:
Jyoti Nangalia – MPN Molecular Biology
Rupali Bhave -Managing ET in 2025
Raajit Rampal – Managing PV in 2025
Naveen Pemmaraju – Managing ET in 2025
Ruben Mesa – Guidelines & Gaps in MPN
Jeanne Palmer – Transplants in MPN for 2025
Marina Kremyanskaya – New Drugs for PV
John Mascarenhas – New Drugs for MF
Angela Fleischman – Nutrition & Complementary Approaches for MPNs
Jean-Jacques Kiladjian – Long Term Outcomes of Interferon in MPNS
Steffen Koschmieder – Inflammation in MPNs
Susan Leclair – Learning about my Labs: An MPN Patient Guide
Fedratinib for myelofibrosis? Call for submissions
At its meeting in May this year, Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will consider a listing of fedratinib (Inrebic ®) onto the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of patients with intermediate-2/high-risk myelofibrosis.
To help consider the merits of this proposal for fedratinib (Inrebic ®), the PBAC would like to learn more about myelofibrosis patients’ experience of their disease: symptom burden, treatment, side effects, how patients manage in their daily lives, impact on work, and so on.
The availability of this drug would be a welcome development for myelofibrosis patients. Currently there is only one Jak inhibitor, ruxolitinib (Jakavi ®), on the PBS for myelofibrosis.
For myelofibrosis patients with anaemia, momelotinib has recently been recommended to government by the PBAC for inclusion on the PBS (although there are more processes to still be considered by government before it may be approved).
Fedratinib, if also recommended by the PBAC and then approved by government, would be an extremely useful addition to the small number of options haematologists have to treat myelofibrosis. Overseas experience indicates that fedratinib is particularly useful in MF patients with low platelets.
NOTE: CLOSING DATE FOR PATIENT INPUT – 26 MARCH 2025
The MPN AA is very supportive of fedratinib (Inrebic ®) being made available to patients on the PBS. It could provide an important treatment option for myelofibrosis patients, especially those with low platelets.
If you have myelofibrosis, please consider making a submission. Or equally providing input to the MPN AA to include in our submission.
Here is a link to the PBAC website where you can make a submission for the inclusion of fedratinib (Inrebic ®)onto the PBS.
At that link, the PBAC has attached a document that clearly sets out what type of information they are seeking from you. That document is called ‘Copy of public consultation survey for items to be considered by the PBAC (May 2025)’ and we found it helpful to read through that document before completing the survey.
If you’d like some help or to discuss this process with the MPN AA, please don’t hesitate to contact us at mpnaa@mpnallianceaustralia.org.au.
Pegasys: new way for Australians to order via online link
The company dispensing and arranging delivery for Pegasys® has set up an online ordering link to speed up the ordering process for Australian patients.
This should save patients time and effort and enable patients in Australia who need their Pegasys urgently to get through to the dispensing team.
The link to order can be accessed HERE.
The MPN Alliance Australia works in partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation
