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Active, not recruitingNCT04576156Updated Jul 8, 2026

A Study Comparing Imetelstat Versus Best Available Therapy for the Treatment of Intermediate-2 or High-risk Myelofibrosis (MF) Who Have Not Responded to Janus Kinase (JAK)-Inhibitor Treatment

A Phase 3 interventional study of Imetelstat and Best Available Therapy (BAT) in Myelofibrosis, sponsored by Geron Corporation. Active, not recruiting at 144 sites in 26 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-08.

Sponsored by Geron Corporation · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
327
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the overall survival of participants treated with imetelstat compared to best available therapy with intermediate-2 or high-risk Myelofibrosis (MF) who are relapsed/refractory (R/R) to Janus Kinase (JAK)-Inhibitor treatment.

Read the detailed description

This is a multicenter study with 2 arms, and will include 3 phases: a) screening phase of up to 28 days before randomization during which participants will complete a 14-day washout period from all prior therapies including JAK-inhibitor treatment, and the participant's eligibility will be reviewed; b) treatment phase, from randomization until study treatment (imetelstat or BAT) discontinuation; and c) post treatment follow-up phase, that begins when the participant discontinues treatment, and will continue until death, lost to follow-up, withdrawal of consent, or study end, whichever occurs first. Participants will be randomized (2:1) into 2 Arms (Arm A will receive imetelstat and Arm B will receive BAT).

Participants who meet progressive disease criteria and discontinue BAT, may crossover to receive imetelstat treatment after sponsor's approval.

02

Conditions studied

  • Myelofibrosis

Keywords

  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
  • Polycythemia
  • Thrombocythemia
  • Primary myelofibrosis
  • Janus Kinase-Inhibitor
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis according to the revised World Health Organization criteria or post-essential thrombocythemia-MF or post-polycythemia vera-MF according to the IWG-MRT criteria
  • Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate-2 or high-risk MF
  • Relapsed/refractory to JAK-inhibitor treatment as defined in either inclusion (i), (ii) or (iii) and not eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) at screening:

    • (i) Treatment with JAK-inhibitor for >= 6 months duration, including at least 2 months at an optimal dose as assessed by the investigator for that participant and at least one of the following:

      1. no decrease in spleen volume (\< 10% by MRI or CT) from the start of treatment with JAK-inhibitor
      2. no decrease in spleen size (\< 30% by palpation or length by imaging) from the start of treatment with JAK-inhibitor
      3. no decrease in symptoms (\< 20% by Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form [MFSAF] or myeloproliferative neoplasm SAF) from the start of treatment with JAK-inhibitor
      4. a score of at least 15 on TSS assessed using the MFSAF v4.0 during screening.
    • (ii) Treatment with JAK-inhibitor treatment for>= 3 months duration with maximal doses (e.g., 20-25 mg twice daily ruxolitinib) for that participant and no decrease in spleen volume/size or symptoms as defined in inclusion criterion (i [a, b, or c]).
    • (iii) Following maximum tolerated doses of JAK inhibitor therapy for ≥3 months duration, having documented relapsed disease defined as either

      1. Increase in spleen volume from time of best response by 25% measured by MRI or CT, or
      2. Increase in spleen size by palpation, CT, or ultrasound

        • (b.i) For splenomegaly of 5-10 cm at the start of JAK inhibitor treatment, at least 100% increase in palpable spleen size from time of best response;
        • (b.ii) For splenomegaly of > 10 cm at the start of JAK inhibitor treatment, at least 50% increase in palpable spleen size from time of best response;

AND not a candidate for further JAK inhibitor at screening per investigator.

  • Measurable splenomegaly demonstrated by a palpable spleen measuring >= 5 cm below the left costal margin or a spleen volume >= 450 cm\^3 by MRI or CT
  • Active symptoms of MF on the MFSAF v4.0 demonstrated by a symptom score of at least 5 points (on a 0 to 10 scale)
  • Hematology laboratory test values within the protocol defined limits
  • Biochemical laboratory test values must be within protocol defined limits
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status score of 0, 1, or 2
  • Participants should follow protocol defined contraceptives procedures
  • A woman of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test at screening

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Peripheral blood blast count of >= 10% or bone marrow blast count of >=10%
  • Known allergies, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to imetelstat or its excipients
  • Prior treatment with imetelstat
  • Any chemotherapy or MF directed therapy, including investigational drug regardless of class or mechanism of action, immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive therapy, corticosteroids greater than 30 mg/day prednisone or equivalent, and JAK-inhibitor treatment less than equal to 14 days prior to randomization
  • Diagnosis or treatment for malignancy other than MF except:

    • Malignancy treated with curative intent and with no known active disease present for >= 3 years before randomization
    • Adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or lentigo maligna without evidence of disease
    • Adequately treated cervical carcinoma in situ without evidence of disease
  • Known history of human immunodeficiency virus or any uncontrolled active systemic infection requiring IV antibiotics
  • Active systemic hepatitis infection requiring treatment (carriers of hepatitis virus are permitted to enter the study), or any known acute or chronic liver disease requiring treatment unless related to underlying hepatosplenomegaly due to MF
  • Major surgery within 28 days prior to randomization
  • Any life-threatening illness (e.g., coronavirus disease-2019), medical condition, or organ system dysfunction which, in the investigator's opinion, could compromise the participant's safety, interfere with the imetelstat metabolism, or put the study outcomes at undue risk
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
327 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Imetelstat

    Participants will receive imetelstat sodium at 9.4 mg/kg intravenous (IV) every 21 days (±3 days), until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, treatment discontinuation or study end.

    Drug: Imetelstat

  • Active comparator
    Best Available Therapy (BAT)

    Participants will receive BAT (investigator-selected non-JAK-inhibitor treatment), until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, treatment discontinuation or study end. Participants on BAT who meet protocol-defined criteria for progressive disease may crossover to receive imetelstat treatment after sponsor's approval.

    Drug: Best Available Therapy (BAT)

Interventions

  • DrugImetelstat

    Imetelstat sodium will be given intravenously at 9.4 mg/kg every 21 days, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, treatment discontinuation or study end.

    Also known as: GRN163L

  • DrugBest Available Therapy (BAT)

    Non-JAK-inhibitor treatment will be given, which may include but is not limited to hydroxyurea, thalidomide or an analog of thalidomide, interferon, danazol, hypomethylating agents, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Overall survival (OS)

    Overall survival is defined as the time interval from randomization date to date of death from any cause.

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) until End of Study (EOS) (approximately 3 years )]

Secondary outcomes

  1. Symptom response rate

    The proportion of participants achieving a ≥50% reduction in Total Symptom Score (TSS) measured at Week 24 compared to baseline

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), and at Week 24

  2. Progression-free survival

    Progression-free survival is defined as the time interval from randomization date to the first date of disease progression (worsening splenomegaly or leukemic transformation per 2013 International Working Group - Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) criteria) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first.

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) until End of Study (EOS) (approximately 3 years)

  3. Spleen response rate

    The proportion of participants who achieve a reduction in spleen volume of ≥ 35% from baseline at Week 24.

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), and at Week 24

  4. Complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), clinical improvement (CI), spleen response, symptoms response, and anemia response per modified 2013 IWG-MRT criteria

    The proportion of participants achieving CR or PR, CI, spleen response, symptom response, and anemia response per modified 2013 IWG-MRT criteria.

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) until End of Treatment (approximately 3 years)

  5. Reduction in the degree of bone marrow fibrosis

    Reduction in the degree of bone marrow fibrosis will be assessed.

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) until End of Treatment (approximately 3 years)

  6. Number of Participants with Adverse Events

    Safety will be assessed based on the incidence and severity (according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) of treatment emergent adverse events from the time of randomization until 30 days after completion of treatment

    Time frame: Screening (Day -28 to -1) until End of Study (approximately 3 years)

  7. Assessment of Cmax

    Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Cmax).

    Time frame: Day 1 of all cycles (each cycle is 21 days)

  8. Assessment of Tmax

    Time to reach the maximum observed plasma concentration

    Time frame: Day 1 of all cycles (each cycle is 21 days)

  9. Assessment of t1/2

    Elimination half-life.

    Time frame: Day 1 of all cycles (each cycle is 21 days)

  10. Assessment of AUC

    Area under the drug concentration-plasma time curve (AUC) from time zero to last measurable concentration

    Time frame: Day 1 of all cycles (each cycle is 21 days)

  11. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life-Questionnaire-Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) scores

    Patient-reported outcomes including health-related quality of life, pain, and overall change in participant's health will be assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30. The EORTC QLQ-C30 includes 30 items resulting in 5 functional scales (physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, and social functioning), 1 Global Health Status scale, 3 symptom scales (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and pain), and 6 single items (dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties). Scores are transformed to a 0 to 100 scale. Higher scores indicated worse outcome.

    Time frame: Baseline to End of Study (approximately 3 years)

  12. EuroQol-EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire scores

    EQ-5D-5L is a 5 item questionnaire that assesses 5 domains including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression plus a visual analog scale rating "health today" with anchors ranging from 0 (worst imaginable health state) to 100 (best imaginable health state).

    Time frame: Baseline to End of Study (approximately 3 years)

06

Study locations

144 sites
  • University of California-San Diego/Moores UCSD Cancer Center
    La Jolla, California 92093-1503, United States
  • UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
    Los Angeles, California 90096, United States
  • Smilow Cancer Center at YNHH
    New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
  • BRCR Medical Center Inc
    Plantation, Florida 33326, United States
  • University of South Florida
    Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
  • Norton Cancer Institute
    Louisville, Kentucky 40207, United States
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    New York, New York 10029, United States
  • Duke University Medical Center
    Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
  • Gabrail Cancer Center
    Canton, Ohio 44718, United States
  • Prairie Lakes Health Care System, Inc.
    Watertown, South Dakota 57201, United States
  • The University of Texas MD
    Houston, Texas 77030-4000, United States
  • Northwest Medical Specialties PLLC
    Seattle, Washington 98405, United States
  • Hospital Aleman
    Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C118AAT, Argentina
  • Sanatorio de la Mujer
    Rosario, Santa Fe Province S2000ORE, Argentina
  • Sanatorio Allende
    Córdoba, X5000JHQ, Argentina
  • Royal North Shore Hospital
    St Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia
  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Herston, Queensland 4011, Australia
  • Royal Hobart Hospital
    Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
  • Epworth Healthcare
    Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia
  • Krankenhaus Hietzing mit Neurologischem Zentrum Rosenhügel
    Wein, Burgenland 1130, Austria
  • Krankenhaus der Elisabethinen
    Linz, Upper Austria 4020, Austria
  • Kepler Universitätsklinikum Gm
    Linz, Upper Austria 4021, Austria
  • Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen GmbH
    Wels, Upper Austria 4600, Austria
  • AZ Klina
    Antwerp, Antwerpen 2930, Belgium
  • UZ Antwerpen
    Edegem, Antwerpen 2650, Belgium
  • Centre Hospitalier de Jolimont
    Haine-Saint-Paul, Hainaut 7100, Belgium
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent
    Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen 9000, Belgium
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel - Myeloom Centrum Brussel (MCB)
    Jette, Belgium
  • Centro de oncologia Leonardo da Vinci
    Fortaleza, Ceará 60135285, Brazil
  • Hospital das Clínicas UFG
    Goiânia, Goiás 74605, Brazil
  • Hospital Erasto Gaertner
    Curitiba, Paraná 81520-060, Brazil
  • Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre - UFRGS
    Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-903, Brazil
  • Centro Gaucho Integrado de Oncologia, Hematologia, Ensino e Pesquisa LTDA
    Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90470340, Brazil
  • Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
    São Paulo, São Paulo 05651-901, Brazil
  • Fundacao Doutor Amaral Carvalho / Hospital Amaral Carvalho
    São Paulo, São Paulo 17210-120, Brazil
  • CEPON Centro de Pesquisas Oncologicas SC
    Florianópolis, 88034-000, Brazil
  • Hospital A.C.Camargo Cancer Center - Clinical Oncology
    São Paulo, Brazil
  • UMBAL Sveti Georgi
    Plovdiv, Plovdiv 4002, Bulgaria
  • Specialized Hospital for Active Therapy of Hematological dis
    Sofia, Sofia 1756, Bulgaria
  • Oncologos del Occidente S.A
    Pereira, Risaralda Department 660000, Colombia
  • Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe
    Antioquia, Colombia
  • Odense University Hospital - Hematology
    Odense, DK-5000 C, Denmark
  • Centre Hospitalier Lyon
    Pierre-Bénite, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 69495, France
  • CHU Bretonneau
    Tours, Indre-et-Loire 37044, France
  • Hopital Bicetre
    Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France
  • CHU De Nantes - Hematologie
    Nantes, Loire-Atlantique 44000, France
  • CHU de Nice - Hopital de l'Archet II - Pharmacie
    Nice, Nice Cedex 3 06202, France
  • Centre Hospitalier Du Mans - Cancérologie Médicale
    Le Mans, Sarthe 72037, France
  • CHRU Brest - Hôpital Morvan
    Brest, 29609, France
  • CHU - Hôpital Saint Louis - Centre D'Investigations Cliniq
    Paris, 75010, France
  • J.S.C."K.Eristavi National Cen
    Tbilisi, K'alak'i T'bilisi 0159, Georgia
  • Ltd "Medinvest - Institute of Hematology and Trans
    Tbilisi, K'alak'i T'bilisi 186, Georgia
  • LTD Israeli-Georgian Medical R
    Tbilisi, 0112, Georgia
  • M.Zodelava Hematology Center L
    Tbilisi, 0112, Georgia
  • Multi Profile Clinic Consilium
    Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia
  • Universitätsklinikum Mannheim - University of Heidelberg
    Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg 68167, Germany
  • Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
    Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg 72076, Germany
  • Universitätsklinikum Carl Gust
    Dresden, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg 1307, Germany
  • Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR
    Leipzig, Saxony 04103, Germany
  • Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
    Halle, Saxony-Anhalt 6120, Germany
  • Dél-pesti Centrumkórház Ország
    Budapest, H-1097, Hungary
  • Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg Megyei Önkormányzat Jósa András
    Nyíregyháza, 4400, Hungary
  • Nirmal Hospital - Hematology
    Surat, Gujarat 395002, India
  • St. John's Medical College Hospital
    Bangalore, Karnataka 560 034, India
  • Fortis Hospital 154/9
    Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076, India
  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Dept. of Hematology, New Delhi (All India Institute Of Medical Sciences)
    New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi 110029, India
  • Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
    New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi 110060, India
  • Fortis Memorial Research Institute
    Gurgaon, New Delhi 122002, India
  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences
    Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751019, India
  • Nilratan Sircar Medical College
    Kolkata, West Bengal 700014, India
  • Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital & Research Center
    Pune, 411004, India
  • Sahyadri Specialty Hospital
    Pune, India
  • Kaplan Medical Center
    Rehovot, Central District 7610001, Israel
  • Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh)
    Ẕerifin, Central District 7030000, Israel
  • Hadassah Medical Organization
    Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
  • Assuta Ashdod University Hospi
    Ashdod, Southern District 7747629, Israel
  • Barzilai Medical Center
    Ashkelon, Southern District 78278, Israel
  • Soroka Medical Center - Hematology Institute
    Beersheba, 84101, Israel
  • Bnai Zion Medical Center
    Haifa, 31048, Israel
  • Carmel MC
    Haifa, 3436212, Israel
  • PO Civile SS.Antonio e Biagio
    Alessandria, Alessandria 15121, Italy
  • A.O.di Bologna Policl.S.Orsola
    Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
  • Arcispedale S.Anna - Ematologi
    Cona, Ferrara 44124, Italy
  • AOU Careggi
    Florence, Firenze 50134, Italy
  • Clinica Ematologica, Univ. Deg
    Genova, Genova 6- 16132, Italy
  • Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
    Milan, Milano 20122, Italy
  • Ospedale Civile S.Maria delle Croci, AUSL Ravenna
    Ravenna, Ravenna 48121, Italy
  • Arcispedale S Maria Nuova, AO di Reggio Emilia
    Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria 42123, Italy
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Bianchi-Me
    Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria 89124, Italy
  • AUSL di Rimini Ospedale Infermi di Rimini
    Rimini, Rimini 47900, Italy
  • Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli
    Roma, Roma 00168, Italy
  • AOU San Luigi Gonzaga
    Orbassano, Torino 10043, Italy
  • AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
    Torino, Torino 10126, Italy
  • Ospedale di Circolo, PO Varese
    Varese, Varese 21100, Italy
  • Ospedale S.Bortolo, AULSS n.6
    Vicenza, Vicenza 36100, Italy
  • Presidio Ospedaliero Garibaldi
    Catania, 95122, Italy
  • Irccs Irst
    Meldola, 47014, Italy
  • ASST Grande Ospedale Metropoli
    Milan, 20162, Italy
  • Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerard
    Monza, 20900, Italy
  • AOU Federico II
    Naples, 80122, Italy

Showing the first 100 of 144 sites across 26 countries.

07

References and documents

Publications

  • Mascarenhas J, Harrison CN, Kiladjian JJ, Komrokji RS, Koschmieder S, Vannucchi AM, Berry T, Redding D, Sherman L, Dougherty S, Peng L, Sun L, Huang F, Wan Y, Feller FM, Rizo A, Verstovsek S. Imetelstat in intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis refractory to JAK inhibitor: IMpactMF phase III study design. Future Oncol. 2022 Jul;18(22):2393-2402. doi: 10.2217/fon-2022-0235. Epub 2022 May 5. PubMed 35510486 ↗
08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04576156
Lead sponsor
Geron Corporation
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 6, 2020
Start date
Apr 12, 2021
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 30, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 8, 2026

Study contacts

Joe Eid
study director · Geron Corporation

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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