ASCO 2021 | The ongoing use of ruxolitinib in myelofibrosis
Jan Bewersdorf
• 24 May 2021
Jan Philipp Bewersdorf, MD, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, explores the JAK-inhibitor ruxolitinib and its use as a standard of care for high-risk myelofibrosis patients who do not opt for transplant. In this case, ruxolitinib acts to relieve the symptoms but for transplant patients, the drug acts to shrink the spleen size which is a significant outcome. However, Dr Bewersdorf clarifies that there is still more work to be done to accurately identify the best use of ruxolitinib in a transplant timeframe: before, during or after transplant therapy. A considerable side effect of ruxolitinib is myelosuppression. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.
