Ruxolitinib: in the treatment of myelofibrosis.

Abstract

Ruxolitinib is a selective inhibitor of Janus kinases (JAK) 1 and 2, which are involved in the signalling pathway of various cytokines and growth factors essential to haematopoiesis. JAK 1 and 2 are implicated in the development of myelofibrosis, as well as other haematological malignancies. Ruxolitinib is the first agent approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial (COMFORT-I) in patients with myelofibrosis, significantly more ruxolitinib than placebo recipients achieved a ≥ 35% reduction in spleen volume (primary endpoint) at 24 weeks. In a randomized, open-label, multicentre trial (COMFORT-II) in patients with myelofibrosis, significantly more ruxolitinib than best available therapy recipients achieved the same primary endpoint at 48 weeks. Significantly more ruxolitinib than placebo recipients achieved a ≥ 50% reduction in Total Symptom Score at 24 weeks in COMFORT-I. Ruxolitinib generally improved health-related quality-of-life scores, while best available therapy was generally associated with worsened scores at 48 weeks in COMFORT-II. In COMFORT-I, overall survival data appeared to favour ruxolitinib over placebo; of note, most placebo recipients had crossed over to receive ruxolitinib. In COMFORT-II, a significant difference in overall survival between ruxolitinib and best available therapy was not shown; this trial was not powered to detect such a difference. In clinical trials in patients with myelofibrosis, ruxolitinib was generally associated with an acceptable tolerability profile. In the placebo-controlled trial, the most commonly reported grade 3 or 4 adverse events in ruxolitinib recipients were thrombocytopenia, anaemia and neutropenia. These haematological adverse events were mainly managed with dosage interruptions/reductions and/or transfusions, and rarely resulted in discontinuation.

• Authors: Lily P H Yang, Gillian M Keating
• Journal: Drugs (Drugs) Vol. 72 Issue 16 Pg. 2117-27 (Nov 12 2012) ISSN: 1179-1950 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 23061804 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nitriles
• Pyrazoles
• Pyrimidines
• ruxolitinib
• Janus Kinase 1
• Janus Kinase 2

Topics

• Humans
• Janus Kinase 1 (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology)
• Janus Kinase 2 (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology)
• Nitriles
• Primary Myelofibrosis (drug therapy)
• Pyrazoles (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology)
• Pyrimidines
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Treatment Outcome