Overview of Karyopharm's Trial Results#
Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. saw its stock price increase by 10% on Tuesday after announcing results from its Phase 3 SENTRY trial. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of selinexor combined with ruxolitinib in treating patients with myelofibrosis, a type of bone marrow cancer.
Key Findings from the Trial#
The trial achieved its first major goal, showing a statistically significant reduction in spleen volume among patients. Specifically, 50% of those receiving the combination treatment experienced a reduction of 35% or more in spleen size after 24 weeks, compared to only 28% in the group receiving ruxolitinib alone. However, the trial did not meet its second major goal, which was to show improvement in symptoms.
Symptom Improvement and Overall Survival#
Both treatment groups showed similar improvements in symptoms, but the differences were not statistically significant. Patients on the combination treatment reported a 9.89 point improvement in their total symptom score, while those on ruxolitinib alone had a slightly higher improvement of 10.86 points. The trial did indicate a promising signal for overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.43 for the combination treatment, suggesting a potential benefit in survival rates compared to ruxolitinib alone.
Safety Profile and Future Plans#
The combination treatment was found to have a manageable safety profile, with no new safety concerns identified. The most common side effects included low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), anemia, and nausea. Karyopharm plans to discuss these findings with the FDA and may file for a supplemental new drug application. Additionally, the company announced a private placement with RA Capital Management, which is expected to raise around $30 million.