In continuation of my ruxolinitib
In a major advance in treatment, a multicenter study found that ruxolinitib did a better job than off-label chemotherapy drugs reducing the terrible symptoms associated with myelofibrosis,
including pain, enlarged spleen, anemia, fever, chills, fatigue, and
weight loss.
Only about 10 percent of myelofibrosis patients are eligible for a bone marrow transplant
and chemotherapy often falls short, Dr. Mesa says. A handful of
off-label chemotherapy drugs have been modestly helpful, he says.
A
randomized, double-blind clinical trial, known as the COMFORT-1 study,
showed that ruxolinitib reduced spleen size by more than 35 percent in
almost all of the 154 patients studied. An enlarged spleen, caused by
sequestered over-proliferating blood cells, causes discomfort and can
also lead to the need for blood transfusions and further medical complications for patients.
"The studies confirmed the drug is very effective. As a representative of a particular class of molecular inhibitors called JAK2 inhibitors, which are now being widely studied, ruxolinitib suggests this category will continue to be promising for myelofibrosis," Dr. Mesa says.
Ref : More...
