Sierra Oncology, Inc. announced the publication of a review article in the Journal of Hematology & Oncologythat outlines the potential ability of momelotinib—a novel JAK1, JAK2 and ACVR1 /ALK2 inhibitor—to address the critical unmet need of anemia for myelofibrosis patients. Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, Chief, Section for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and co-Primary Investigator of the pivotal Phase 3 MOMENTUM study, co-authored the article. Myelofibrosis is characterized by constitutional symptoms, including fatigue, body and bone pain and excessive sweating or fever; splenomegaly (enlarged spleen); and anemia.

Moderate-to-severe anemia afflicts 40-60% of myelofibrosis patients at the time of diagnosis and increases to up-to 90% of patients over time.1 Anemia is a predictor of reduced overall survival and is associated with a nearly four-fold increase in the risk of death compared to no anemia, with a median survival of just 2.1 years.2,3 While JAK inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment options for myelofibrosis patients, currently approved JAK inhibitors cause myelosuppression, worsening anemia and creating poorer outcomes for patients. This profile creates a critical gap in the myelofibrosis treatment landscape and the need for a therapy that can address all three hallmarks of disease.