Visual abstract | Phase III INDEPENDENCE trial: Luspatercept for MF-associated anemia

Anemia is a common manifestation of myelofibrosis (MF) that worsens with disease progression, with most patients eventually becoming dependent on red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.¹ Current therapies for MF-associated anemia generally have limited efficacy and tolerability, highlighting an unmet need for effective and durable treatment options, particularly in patients receiving Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi).¹  

Luspatercept is a transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily ligand trap that promotes late-stage erythroid maturation.¹ At present, luspatercept is approved for the treatment of anemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and beta-thalassemia who may require RBC transfusions, and it has also demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in MF-associated anemia in the phase II ACE-536-MF-001 trial (NCT03194542), regardless of baseline RBC transfusion dependence or concomitant JAKi use.¹ 

Here we present a visual abstract summarizing results from the primary analysis of the phase III INDEPENDENCE trial (NCT04717414) of luspatercept + best supportive care in patients with MF-associated anemia who were RBC-transfusion dependent and receiving concomitant JAKi therapy, which were presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress, June 11–14, 2026, Stockholm, SE, by Passamonti.¹  

This educational resource is independently supported by Bristol Myers Squibb. All content is developed by SES in collaboration with an expert steering committee. Funders are allowed no influence.