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Important Safety Information

Patient Adherence

Suboptimal persistence with IV and SC HMA therapy may limit its clinical benefits1-3

Significant rates of HMA discontinuation1,2

~58% of patients with AML
showed early HMA discontinuation1*†

<45% of patients with MDS
showed early HMA discontinuation2*‡

*Defined as the completion of <4 HMA cycles.1,2

In a retrospective US claims/registry analysis of 2263 older adults (age 66 to 99) who received an AML diagnosis from 2005 to 2015 and started HMA treatment (azacitidine or decitabine) in the first-line setting within 6 months.1

Based on 4 studies published between 2014 and 2021, identified through a retrospective US analysis of articles published from 2008 to 2021, that described real-world treatment persistence among patients with higher-risk MDS receiving IV or SC HMA therapies.2

Barriers to persistence

While the reasons for nonadherence vary, they may include:

  • Logistical and administrational challenges2,3
  • Distress and discomfort associated with parenteral administration2,3
  • Extensive travel and treatment time2,4

These barriers can lead to discontinuation of HMA therapy, which may be associated with:

  • Rapid disease progression2,5
  • Poor prognosis2,5
  • Higher healthcare resource use2,6

Without staying on treatment for the recommended number of cycles, patients may not experience the potential clinical benefits of HMA therapy.3

Patient preference

Patients with AML or MDS may prefer oral HMA options.3,7,8

Explore patient preference

Personalized calendar

Practices can personalize a dosing calendar based on patients’ start dates.

Create a calendar

References: 1. Zeidan AM, Wang R, Wang X, et al. Clinical outcomes of older patients with AML receiving hypomethylating agents: a large population-based study in the United States. Blood Adv. 2020;4(10):2192-2201. 2. Zeidan AM, Salimi T, Epstein RS. Real-world use and outcomes of hypomethylating agent therapy in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: why are we not achieving the promise of clinical trials? Future Oncol. 2021;17(36):5163-5175. 3. Haumschild R, Kennerly-Shah J, Barbarotta L, Zeidan AM. Clinical activity, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of oral hypomethylating agents for myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia: a multidisciplinary review. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2024;30(4):721-736. 4. Jensen CE, Heiling HM, Beke KE, et al. Time spent at home among older adults with acute myeloid leukemia receiving azacitidine- or venetoclax-based regimens. Haematologica. 2022;108(4):1006-1014. 5. Cabrero M, Jabbour E, Ravandi F, et al. Discontinuation of hypomethylating agent therapy in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or acute myelogenous leukemia in complete remission or partial response: retrospective analysis of survival after long-term follow-up. Leuk Res. 2015;39(5):520-524. 6. Cheng WY, Satija A, Cheung HC, et al. Persistence to hypomethylating agents and clinical and economic outcomes among patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Hematology. 2021;26(1):261-270. 7. Delmas A, Batchelder L, Arora I, et al. Exploring preferences of different modes of administration of hypomethylating agent treatments among patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1160966. 8. Zeidan AM, Tsai J-H, Karimi M, et al. Patient preferences for benefits, risks, and administration route of hypomethylating agents in myelodysplastic syndromes. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2022;22(9):e853-e866.