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Syros’s AML Failure Sparks MDS Program Jitters, But Fears May Be Overblown

 
• By Alaric DeArment

Discontinuation of the AML study created concern about potential readthrough to a pivotal MDS trial, but the company and analysts pointed out differences in the diseases.

• Source: Shutterstock

The decision by Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to discontinue enrollment in the Phase II SELECT-AML-1 trial of tamibarotene in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy has generated concern about potential read-through to its lead program with the drug in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, analysts are still relatively optimistic about the MDS trial’s prospects.

Syros said 12 August that it discontinued enrollment in the AML trial – which compares tamibarotene combined with AbbVie Inc. and Roche Holding AG’s Venclexta (venetoclax) and Bristol Myers Squibb Company’s Vidaza (azacitidine) versus Venclexta and Vidaza alone – following a review of data from 51 patients on 9 August

Key Takeaways

  • Syros said it would discontinue its Phase II study of tamibarotene in acute myeloid leukemia after an analysis showed it was unlikely to be successful.

  • That drew concern about the potential for read-through to its Phase III myelodysplastic syndrome trial due to similarities in the two blood cancers

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