Divesiran & Polycythemia Vera: Reduced Phlebotomy?
- Milan, Italy—Divesiran, an innovative small interfering RNA therapy, is under investigation for its potential to treat polycythemia vera, a condition marked by excessive red blood cell production. Dr.
- The SANRECO trial focuses on divesiran's ability to reduce the need for phlebotomies, a standard treatment for polycythemia vera.The disease elevates hematocrit levels, increasing the risk of thromboembolic...
- Polycythemia vera, a chronic myeloid malignancy, poses notable risks of thrombosis, myelofibrosis progression, and acute leukemia.
Divesiran Shows Promise in Treating Polycythemia vera
Updated June 14, 2025
Milan, Italy—Divesiran, an innovative small interfering RNA therapy, is under investigation for its potential to treat polycythemia vera, a condition marked by excessive red blood cell production. Dr. Marina Kremyanskaya of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, presented findings from the phase 1/2 SANRECO trial at the 2025 European Hematology association Congress.
The SANRECO trial focuses on divesiran’s ability to reduce the need for phlebotomies, a standard treatment for polycythemia vera.The disease elevates hematocrit levels, increasing the risk of thromboembolic events. The phase 1 trial indicated that divesiran was safe, well-tolerated, and effective in raising hepcidin levels, which subsequently decreased the necessity for phlebotomies, notably in patients with lower starting hematocrit.
Polycythemia vera, a chronic myeloid malignancy, poses notable risks of thrombosis, myelofibrosis progression, and acute leukemia. Current treatments aim to mitigate thrombosis risk, the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Maintaining hematocrit levels below 45% is crucial, often achieved through therapeutic phlebotomies. Higher-risk patients may also receive cytoreductive therapies like hydroxyurea, ruxolitinib, or interferon.
The SANRECO trial seeks to determine if divesiran, targeting TMPRSS6, can safely reduce or eliminate the need for frequent phlebotomies. The phase 1 study involved patients heavily reliant on phlebotomies,with varying doses of divesiran (3 mg,6 mg,or 9 mg/kg) tested to optimize effectiveness. All dose levels increased hepcidin levels, decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin, and substantially reduced phlebotomy requirements. Notably, patients with controlled hematocrit levels at the study’s outset required no phlebotomies during the trial, showcasing the drug’s potential to improve iron deficiency.
kremyanskaya emphasized the need for further research due to the small sample size of the