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NCT00934544

Controlled Myelofibrosis Study With Oral Janus-associated Kinase (JAK) Inhibitor Treatment-II: The COMFORT-II Trial

Completed Phase 3 Results posted Last updated 19 August 2019
What this trial tests

Phase 3 trial testing Ruxolitinib in Myelofibrosis in 219 participants. Completed in 4 March 2015.

Timeline
1 July 2009
Primary endpoint
4 March 2015
4 March 2015

Quick facts

Lead sponsorNovartis Pharmaceuticals
PhasePhase 3
StatusCompleted
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Allocationrandomized
Designcrossover
Maskingnone
Primary purposetreatment
Enrollment219
Start date1 July 2009
Primary completion4 March 2015
Estimated completion4 March 2015
Sites61 locations across France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany

Drugs / interventions tested

Conditions studied

Sponsor

Novartis Pharmaceuticals — full company profile →

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Myelofibrosis. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.

Percentage of Participants With at Least 35% Reduction in Spleen Volume From Baseline at Week 48 Primary · Baseline, Week 48

The change in spleen volume from baseline to week 48 was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (or by computer tomography (CT) for participants unable to undergo MRI) and was calculated only for participants who had an evaluable spleen volume at baseline. The percentage of participants achieving a greater than or equal to 35% reduction in spleen volume from baseline to week 48 was then calculated by treatment group.

GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib28.5
Best Available Therapy (BAT)0
Duration of Maintenance of Spleen Volume Reduction (Median) Secondary · Baseline, up to Year 5

DoMSR is defined as the interval between the first spleen volume measurement that is \>=35% reduction from baseline and the first scan that is no longer = 35% reduction AND that is a \>25% increase over nadir. It was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier estimate for each treatment arm. The analysis was performed only for subjects who achieved greater than 35% reduction in spleen volume.

GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib3.221.65 – NA
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
Duration of Maintenance of Spleen Volume Reduction (Kaplan-Meier Estimates) Secondary · Baseline, up to Year 5

This is defined as the interval between randomization and date of the first MRI showing a 35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume. The analysis was performed for participants who achieved a 35% reduction in spleen volume.

1.0 year
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.72.60 – .81
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
1.5 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.670.55 – 0.77
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
2.0 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.630.50 – 0.73
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
2.5 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.540.41 – 0.65
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
3.0 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.510.38 – 0.62
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
3.5 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.480.35 – 0.60
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
4.0 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.480.35 – 0.60
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
4.5 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.480.35 – 0.60
Best Available Therapy (BAT)NANA – NA
Percentage of Participants With at Least 35% Reduction in Spleen Volume From Baseline at Week 24 Secondary · Baseline, Week 24

The change in spleen volume from baseline to week 24 was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (or by computer tomography (CT) for participants unable to undergo MRI) and was calculated only for participants who had an evaluable spleen volume at baseline. The percentage of participants achieving a greater than or equal to 35% reduction in spleen volume from baseline to week 24 was then calculated by treatment group.

GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib31.9
Best Available Therapy (BAT)0
Time to First at Least 35% Reduction in Spleen Volume From Baseline by Treatment (Primary Analysis) Secondary · Time from randomization and date of the first MRI showing at least 35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume

This is defined as the interval between randomization and date of the first MRI showing at least 35% reduction from baseline in spleen volume. The analysis was performed for participants who achieved a 35% reduction in spleen volume

12 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.230.14 – 0.34
Best Available Therapy (BAT)0NA – NA
24 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.670.54 – 0.76
Best Available Therapy (BAT)1NA – NA
36 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.870.76 – 0.93
Best Available Therapy (BAT)1NA – NA
48 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0.970.89 – 0.99
Best Available Therapy (BAT)1NA – NA
Progression-free Survival (PFS) Secondary · Time from randomization and the earliest of either increase in spleen volume >=25% from on-study nadir, splenic irradiation, splenectomy, leukemic transformation or death

Median of time progression free survival (95% CI), years

GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib1.61.2 – 2.3
Best Available Therapy (BAT)1.41.1 – 1.9
Leukemia-free Survival (LFS) Secondary · Time from randomization and earliest of either leukemia or death

Time from randomization and earliest of either (1) date of bone marrow blast count of 20% or greater; (2) date of first peripheral blast count of 20% or greater that was subsequently confirmed to sustain for at least 8 weeks; (3) date of death from any cause

GroupValue95% CI
RuxolitinibNANA – NA
Best Available Therapy (BAT)4.12.4 – NA
Overall Survival (OS) Secondary · From randomization until death from any cause

Defined as the interval between randomization and the date of the bone marrow blast count of 20% or greater OR the date of the first peripheral blast count of 20% or greater that was subsequently confirmed to have been sustained for at least 8 weeks OR the date of death from any cause, whichever occurs first. OS was summarized using Kaplan-Meier estimates for each treatment arm. The estimates were supplemented by tables of number of events and probability estimates at several timepoints

GroupValue95% CI
RuxolitinibNANA – NA
Best Available Therapy (BAT)4.12.4 – NA
Percentage of Participants With Bone Marrow Histomorphology at Week 48 (Primary Analysis) Secondary · 48 weeks

This was noted as fibrosis density and was tabulated by fibrosis grade at baseline and at week 48 (post-baseline). Descriptive statistics (participant percentages) were used. Fibrosis grades: 0 Scattered linear reticulin with no intersections corresponding to normal bone marrow ; 1 Loose network of reticulin with many intersections, especially in perivascular areas; 2 Diffuse and dense increase in reticulin with extensive intersections, occasionally with only focal bundles of collagen and/or focal osteosclerosis; 3 Diffuse and dense increase in reticulin with extensive intersections with coar

Grade 0
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib2.7
Best Available Therapy (BAT)0.0
Grade 1
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib7.5
Best Available Therapy (BAT)2.7
Grade 2
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib8.9
Best Available Therapy (BAT)6.8
Grade 3
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib24.0
Best Available Therapy (BAT)15.1
Missing Grade
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib56.8
Best Available Therapy (BAT)75.3
Bone Marrow Histomorphology Secondary · Baseline, once a year

Shift table from baseline to last available postbaseline fibrosis grade by treatment The grade gives an indication of the activity or amount of inflammation and the stage represents the amount of fibrosis or scarring. The grade is assigned a number based on the degree of inflammation, which is usually scored from 0-4 with 0 being no activity and 3 or 4 considered severe activity

Postbaseline Grade 0
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib141.8 – 2.3
Ruxolitinib - Grade 1147.9 – 1.9
Ruxolitinib - Grade 22
Ruxolitinib - Grade 31
Ruxolitinib - Missing2
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 00
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 10
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 20
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 30
Best Available Therapy - Missing0
Postbaseline Grade 1
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0
Ruxolitinib - Grade 110
Ruxolitinib - Grade 29
Ruxolitinib - Grade 32
Ruxolitinib - Missing0
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 00
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 11
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 20
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 31
Best Available Therapy - Missing0
Postbaseline Grade 2
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0
Ruxolitinib - Grade 12
Ruxolitinib - Grade 28
Ruxolitinib - Grade 38
Ruxolitinib - Missing1
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 00
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 10
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 24
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 31
Best Available Therapy - Missing0
Postbaseline Grade 3
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib0
Ruxolitinib - Grade 16
Ruxolitinib - Grade 219
Ruxolitinib - Grade 328
Ruxolitinib - Missing2
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 00
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 10
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 24
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 38
Best Available Therapy - Missing3
Postbaseline Missing
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib2
Ruxolitinib - Grade 12
Ruxolitinib - Grade 217
Ruxolitinib - Grade 320
Ruxolitinib - Missing3
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 02
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 12
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 219
Best Available Therapy (BAT) - Grade 324
Best Available Therapy - Missing4
Duration of Follow-up by Treatment Secondary · baseline, 260 weeks (end of study)

Number of Participants with duration of Follow up

<=1 year
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib16
Best Available Therapy (BAT)15
>1 year - <=2 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib21
Best Available Therapy (BAT)10
>2 years - <=3 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib9
Best Available Therapy (BAT)13
>3 years - <=4 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib12
Best Available Therapy (BAT)5
>4 years - <=5 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib27
Best Available Therapy (BAT)8
5 years
GroupValue95% CI
Ruxolitinib61
Best Available Therapy (BAT)22

Adverse events — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Reporting threshold: 5%. Adverse-event reports describe events observed during the trial — not all are caused by the drug.

Ruxolitinib Randomized
Serious: 51/146 (35%)
Deaths:
Ruxolitinib Randomized + Extension Phase
Serious: 85/146 (58%)
Deaths:
BAT Randomized
Serious: 22/73 (30%)
Deaths:
Ruxolitinib Cross-over
Serious: 20/45 (44%)
Deaths:

Serious adverse events (242 terms)

ReactionSystemRuxolitinib RandomizedRuxolitinib Randomized + E…BAT RandomizedRuxolitinib Cross-over
PneumoniaInfections and infestations
AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders
Cardiac failureCardiac disorders
PyrexiaGeneral disorders
Squamous cell carcinoma of skinNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
ThrombocytopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Atrial fibrillationCardiac disorders
Varices oesophagealGastrointestinal disorders
General physical health deteriorationGeneral disorders
BronchitisInfections and infestations
Basal cell carcinomaNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Prostate cancerNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Cerebrovascular accidentNervous system disorders
Renal failure acuteRenal and urinary disorders
DyspnoeaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pulmonary embolismRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Supraventricular tachycardiaCardiac disorders
GastroenteritisInfections and infestations
InfectionInfections and infestations
Respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations
UrosepsisInfections and infestations
HyperuricaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
Confusional statePsychiatric disorders
PancytopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Other adverse events (83 terms — click to expand)

ReactionSystemRuxolitinib RandomizedRuxolitinib Randomized + E…BAT RandomizedRuxolitinib Cross-over
ThrombocytopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders
Oedema peripheralGeneral disorders
NasopharyngitisInfections and infestations
AstheniaGeneral disorders
CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
BronchitisInfections and infestations
FatigueGeneral disorders
PyrexiaGeneral disorders
DyspnoeaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders
ArthralgiaMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Weight increasedInvestigations
Muscle spasmsMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders
Night sweatsSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Back painMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Pain in extremityMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
HeadacheNervous system disorders
HaematomaVascular disorders
Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders
Decreased appetiteMetabolism and nutrition disorders
DizzinessNervous system disorders
ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders
Urinary tract infectionInfections and infestations
HypertensionVascular disorders
EpistaxisRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
PruritusSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Abdominal pain upperGastrointestinal disorders
Herpes zosterInfections and infestations
ParaesthesiaNervous system disorders
CystitisInfections and infestations
GastroenteritisInfections and infestations
InsomniaPsychiatric disorders
Dyspnoea exertionalRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
PalpitationsCardiac disorders
Platelet count decreasedInvestigations
RashSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Skin lesionSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Most-reported serious reactions: Pneumonia, Anaemia, Abdominal pain, Cardiac failure, Pyrexia, Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, Thrombocytopenia, Atrial fibrillation.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00934544 adverse events section.

Sponsor's own description

This was an open label, randomized study comparing the efficacy and safety of randomized 2:1 Ruxolitinib tablets versus best-available therapy, as selected by the investigator. The purpose was to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Ruxolitinib (INC424/INCB018424) given twice daily to the best-available therapy, in subjects with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (PPV-MF) or post essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (PET-MF).

Publications & conference data

8 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

  1. JAK inhibition with ruxolitinib versus best available therapy for myelofibrosis.
    Harrison C, Kiladjian JJ, Al-Ali HK, Gisslinger H, et al · · 2012 · cited 1356× · PMID 22375970 · DOI 10.1056/nejmoa1110556
  2. Philadelphia-negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasms: critical concepts and management recommendations from European LeukemiaNet.
    Barbui T, Barosi G, Birgegard G, Cervantes F, et al · · 2011 · cited 570× · PMID 21205761 · DOI 10.1200/jco.2010.31.8436
  3. Long-term findings from COMFORT-II, a phase 3 study of ruxolitinib vs best available therapy for myelofibrosis.
    Harrison CN, Vannucchi AM, Kiladjian JJ, Al-Ali HK, et al · · 2016 · cited 363× · PMID 27211272 · DOI 10.1038/leu.2016.148
  4. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STATs) Proteins in Cancer and Inflammation: Functions and Therapeutic Implication.
    Loh CY, Arya A, Naema AF, Wong WF, et al · · 2019 · cited 241× · PMID 30847297 · DOI 10.3389/fonc.2019.00048
  5. Long-term survival in patients treated with ruxolitinib for myelofibrosis: COMFORT-I and -II pooled analyses.
    Verstovsek S, Gotlib J, Mesa RA, Vannucchi AM, et al · · 2017 · cited 214× · PMID 28962635 · DOI 10.1186/s13045-017-0527-7
  6. A pooled analysis of overall survival in COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II, 2 randomized phase III trials of ruxolitinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis.
    Vannucchi AM, Kantarjian HM, Kiladjian JJ, Gotlib J, et al · · 2015 · cited 194× · PMID 26069290 · DOI 10.3324/haematol.2014.119545
  7. Efficacy, safety, and survival with ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis: results of a median 3-year follow-up of COMFORT-I.
    Verstovsek S, Mesa RA, Gotlib J, Levy RS, et al · · 2015 · cited 190× · PMID 25616577 · DOI 10.3324/haematol.2014.115840
  8. Efficacy, safety and survival with ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis: results of a median 2-year follow-up of COMFORT-I.
    Verstovsek S, Mesa RA, Gotlib J, Levy RS, et al · · 2013 · cited 126× · PMID 24038026 · DOI 10.3324/haematol.2013.092155

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Trials by the same sponsor.

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Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT00934544.

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing