Latest news with #anemia
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Bristol Myers drug fails main goal in cancer-linked anemia trial
July 18 (Reuters) - Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N), opens new tab said on Friday its blockbuster drug Reblozyl in combination with another therapy failed to meet the main goal of a late-stage trial to treat anemia caused by a rare bone marrow cancer. The study did not achieve statistically significant results in helping patients with myelofibrosis become free from red blood cell transfusions for any 12-week period during the first 24 weeks of treatment. The miss could signal long-term challenges for the company as future revenues rely on expanding the use of key drugs, Raymond James analysts said. They noted several missed opportunities for broader approvals, including Sotyktu in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's, Camzyos in heart disease, Opdualag in early-stage melanoma, and Cobenfy in schizophrenia. The company, however, remained upbeat about the drug's prospects and said more patients receiving Reblozyl saw a reduction in the number of transfusions needed and an increase in hemoglobin levels, a key measure of anemia. The side effects seen in the trial were similar to those previously reported for Reblozyl. "It is promising to see that Reblozyl led to clinically relevant improvement of anemia for patients with myelofibrosis," said Anne Kerber, head of hematology, oncology, and cell therapy at Bristol Myers. Reblozyl is already approved for certain types of anemia related to other blood disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia. Bristol Myers recorded $1.77 billion in global sales of Reblozyl in 2024. The late-stage trial in myelofibrosis patients tested Reblozyl with a Janus kinase inhibitor drug, a class of medicines that works by slowing down the immune system. Myelofibrosis is a type of cancer that scars the bone marrow, inhibiting production of healthy blood cells. Reblozyl's failure in the trial might be positive for Disc Medicine (IRON.O), opens new tab, as investors might look favorably at its hepcidin portfolio, given the strength of data and limited treatment options, BMO Capital Markets analysts said. Shares of Disc Medicine rose 4%, while Bristol Myers slipped 1% in morning trading.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Bristol Myers' drug fails main goal in cancer-related anemia trial
July 18 (Reuters) - Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N), opens new tab said on Friday its blockbuster drug Reblozyl in combination with another therapy failed to meet the main goal of a late-stage trial to treat anemia due to a rare bone marrow cancer. The study did not achieve statistically significant results in helping myelofibrosis patients become free from red blood cell transfusions for any 12-week period during the first 24 weeks of treatment. However, more patients receiving Reblozyl saw a reduction in the number of transfusions needed and an increase in hemoglobin levels, a key measure of anemia, the company said. The side effects seen in the trial were similar to those previously reported for Reblozyl. "It is promising to see that Reblozyl led to clinically relevant improvement of anemia for patients with myelofibrosis," said Anne Kerber, head of hematology, oncology, and cell therapy at Bristol Myers. The company remains confident in the treatment's potential to address unmet need, Kerber added. The late-stage trial in myelofibrosis patients tested Reblozyl with a Janus kinase inhibitor drug, a class of medicines that works by slowing down the immune system. Myelofibrosis is a type of cancer, in which the bone marrow becomes scarred and doesn't produce enough healthy blood cells. Reblozyl is already approved for certain types of anemia related to other blood disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia. Bristol Myers recorded $1.77 billion in global sales of Reblozyl in 2024. Other approved treatments for myelofibrosis-associated anemia include Incyte's (INCY.O), opens new tab Jakafi and British drugmaker GSK's (GSK.L), opens new tab Ojjaara. Reblozyl's failure in the trial might be positive for Disc Medicine (IRON.O), opens new tab, as investors might look favorably at its hepcidin portfolio, given the strength of data and limited treatment options, BMO Capital Markets analysts said.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Bristol Myers' drug fails main goal in late-stage trial for cancer-related anemia
July 18 (Reuters) - Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N), opens new tab said on Friday its blockbuster drug Reblozyl in combination with another therapy failed to meet the main goal of a late-stage trial to treat anemia due to a rare bone marrow cancer. The study did not achieve statistically significant results in helping patients become free from red blood cell transfusions for any 12-week period during the first 24 weeks of treatment. However, more patients receiving Reblozyl saw a reduction in the number of transfusions needed and an increase in hemoglobin levels, a key measure of anemia, the company said. The side effects seen in the trial were similar to those previously reported for Reblozyl. Reblozyl is already approved for certain types of anemia related to other blood disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and beta thalassemia. Bristol Myers recorded $1.77 billion in global sales of Reblozyl in 2024. In the late-stage trial, the drug was being tested to treat anemia in myelofibrosis patients with a Janus kinase inhibitor drug, a class of medicines that works by slowing down the immune system. Myelofibrosis is a type of cancer, in which the bone marrow becomes scarred and doesn't produce enough healthy blood cells.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Bristol Myers' drug fails to meet main goal of late-stage anemia trial
July 18 (Reuters) - Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N), opens new tab said on Friday its drug Reblozyl in combination with another therapy failed to meet the main goal of a late-stage trial to treat anemia due to a rare bone marrow cancer.
Health Line
16-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
How to Raise Your Hemoglobin Count
Key takeaways Increasing your intake of iron-rich foods like liver, shellfish, spinach, and beans can help boost hemoglobin production. Taking iron supplements may be necessary to significantly raise hemoglobin levels, but it's important to work with your doctor to determine a safe dosage to avoid potential side effects. To maximize iron absorption, consume vitamin C-rich foods along with iron sources and avoid calcium-rich foods or supplements close to iron intake. Read on to learn about how to raise your hemoglobin and what things to consider. What's a low hemoglobin count? Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to the rest of your body. It also transports carbon dioxide out of your cells and back to your lungs to be exhaled. The Mayo Clinic defines low hemoglobin counts as anything below 13.5 grams per deciliter in men or 12 grams per deciliter in women. Many things can cause low hemoglobin levels, such as: iron deficiency anemia pregnancy liver problems urinary tract infections In addition, some people have naturally low hemoglobin counts without any underlying cause. Others have low hemoglobin, but never have any symptoms. Eat foods high in iron and folate Iron plays an important role in hemoglobin production. A protein called transferrin binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. This helps your body make red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin. The first step toward raising your hemoglobin level on your own is to start eating more iron. Foods that are high in iron include: liver and organ meats shellfish beef broccoli kale spinach green beans cabbage beans and lentils tofu baked potatoes fortified cereals and enriched bread Folate is a B vitamin that your body uses to produce heme, the part of your red blood cells that contains hemoglobin. Without enough folate, your red blood cells can't mature. This can lead to folate deficiency anemia and low hemoglobin levels. You can add folate to your diet by eating more: beef spinach black-eyed peas avocado lettuce rice kidney beans peanuts Take iron supplements If you need to raise your hemoglobin level by a lot, you may need to take oral iron supplements. However, too much iron can cause a condition called hemochromatosis. This can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis, and other side effects, such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Work with your doctor to figure out a safe dose, and avoid taking more than 25 milligrams (mg) at one time. The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that men get up to 8 mg of iron per day, while women should get up to 18 mg per day. If you're pregnant, you should aim for up to 27 mg a day. You should start noticing a difference in your iron level after about a week to a month, depending on your underlying condition that's causing low hemoglobin. Iron supplements should always be kept carefully out of reach of children. If your child needs an iron supplement, make sure you choose one that's safe for children. Children have a lower blood volume, which makes them much more vulnerable to iron poisoning. If your child accidentally takes an iron supplement, call your doctor immediately. Maximize iron absorption Whether you increase your iron intake through food or supplements, it's also important to make sure your body can easily process the extra iron you put into it. Certain things can either increase or decrease the amount of iron your body absorbs. Things that increase iron absorption When you eat something high in iron or take an iron supplement, try eating foods rich in vitamin C or take a supplement at the same time. Vitamin C may help to increase the amount of iron your body absorbs. Try squeezing some fresh lemon over iron rich foods to increase absorption. Foods high in vitamin C include: citrus strawberries dark, leafy greens Vitamin A and beta-carotene, which helps your body produce vitamin A, can also help your body absorb more iron. You can find vitamin A in animal food sources, such as fish and liver. Beta-carotene is usually found in red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables, such as: carrots winter squash sweet potatoes mangos You can also take vitamin A supplements, but make sure you work closely with your doctor to figure out a safe dose. Too much vitamin A can lead to a potentially serious condition called hypervitaminosis A. Things that decrease iron absorption Calcium from both supplements and food sources can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. However, it's important that you don't completely eliminate calcium because it's an essential nutrient. Just avoid calcium supplements and try not to eat calcium-rich foods right before or after taking an iron supplement. Foods high in calcium include: dairy soybeans seeds figs Phytic acid can also reduce your body's absorption of iron, especially if you don't eat meat. However, it only affects iron absorption during a single meal, not throughout the day. If you don't eat meat, try to avoid eating foods high in phytic acid with iron-rich foods. Foods high in phytic acid include: walnuts Brazil nuts sesame seeds Keep in mind that, like calcium, phytic acid is an essential nutrient that shouldn't be completely removed from your diet. When to see a doctor Some cases of low hemoglobin can't be fixed through diet and supplements alone. Contact your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms while trying to raise your hemoglobin level: pale skin and gums fatigue and muscle weakness a fast or irregular heartbeat frequent headaches frequent or unexplained bruising The bottom line Depending on the underlying cause and the changes you make, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to almost a year to raise your hemoglobin count.
