For elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), mainstay treatment is often not well-tolerated, and prognosis is sometimes poor. Recent advances, including ruxolitinib therapy, are potential options in such patients, according to a recent review.

The JAK/STAT signaling pathway has been identified as a significant mechanism by which leukemic cells bypass normal growth and proliferation restrictions. In particular, Ph-like ALL appears to be dependent on JAK signaling. Preclinical studies suggest benefit of ruxolitinib for the treatment of Ph-like ALL and CRLF2-rearranged ALL. Additionally, ruxolitinib inhibited tumor growth in in vitro and in vivo models of T-ALL, with a gain of function in IL-7 R-alpha subunit.