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ASCO 2026 | MY-PAC: treatment patterns & outcomes in pacritinib-treated patients with MF & higher platelet count
In this video, Naveen Pemmaraju, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, comments on the currently available JAK inhibitors used to treat patients with myelofibrosis (MF), including ruxolitinib, fedratinib, pacritinib, and momelotinib. Dr Pemmaraju then highlights a study evaluating the potential of pacritinib as an option for patients with higher platelet counts. This interview took place during the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Meeting in Chicago, IL.
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Transcript
So turning our attention to the world of myeloproliferative neoplasms, MPN, the most lethal form of the MPN remains myelofibrosis. And particularly if it becomes accelerated blast phase, can then go on to acute myeloid leukemia. So in the chronic phase of myelofibrosis, there’s only one approved class of drugs, and those are the JAK inhibitors, of which there are four...
So turning our attention to the world of myeloproliferative neoplasms, MPN, the most lethal form of the MPN remains myelofibrosis. And particularly if it becomes accelerated blast phase, can then go on to acute myeloid leukemia. So in the chronic phase of myelofibrosis, there’s only one approved class of drugs, and those are the JAK inhibitors, of which there are four. Ruxolitinib was the first in class, followed by fedratinib, pacritinib, and then momelotinib. And what’s interesting is that pacritinib has an accelerated approval for a very specific urgent unmet medical need in our field, which is that of platelets less than 50. And that is a very important area of treatment options for our patients. We asked the question, because it is such an effective and safe agent at that low platelet range where patients are at increased risk of complications and bleeding, can it not also be effective in patients with higher platelet counts? And so looking at real-world analysis, database analysis, and other uses of the drug, what we’re finding is that the drug remains safe and effective potentially, and even at higher platelet ranges. So I think that’s important. Number two is that the pacritinib agent works on different pathways outside of the JAK-STAT pathway, for example, IRAK and others. So it’s important to follow the long-term and real-world outcomes. And then finally, I think what’s also interesting is to follow in patients with lower platelet counts or medium platelet counts. So less than 50 is the indication. We’re starting to look, for example, 50 to 100. What are the complication side effects? What are the long-term results of that? And how many patients can be bridged to transplant, et cetera? So that’s what we’re starting to look at. I think it’s an exciting era for the JAK inhibitors as we look for expanded uses beyond the original indications, and much research is ongoing in this area.
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