CHICAGO – The investigational oral Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor pacritinib may offer a new myelofibrosis treatment option for patients with baseline thrombocytopenia.
Analyses from an ongoing phase III trial of pacritinib, reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, indicate that the JAK2 inhibitor is superior to best available therapy for alleviating splenomegaly and other symptoms of myelofibrosis.
“In the very short term, it very clearly identifies a therapy that’s very impactful for those individuals with significant thrombocytopenia and potentially those with anemia,” noted lead study author Dr. Ruben A. Mesa, deputy director of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In a video interview, Dr. Mesa discussed the study findings so far and the potential implications for patients with myelofibrosis.