Claire Harrison, MD, deputy clinical director of Cancer and Hematology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS, discusses 5-year follow-up data examining ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis.

The phase III COMFORT-II study is known as one of the clinical trials that led to ruxolitinib’s FDA approval, Harrison explains. Myelofibrosis is a malignancy associated with splenomegaly, significant constitutional symptoms, and a reduction in life expectancy. Initial data released from the study demonstrated that, upon treatment with ruxolitinib, patients had a significant improvement in quality of life and a reduction in spleen size. Follow-up data showed that the agent also prolonged survival in patients.

The 5-year follow-up results of the study represents a high volume of patient data for myelofibrosis, Harrison says. The long-term data showed a reduction in spleen volume in 35% of patients. Moreover, reductions in JAK2 V617F allele burden occurred in 80% to 100% of patients, she adds.

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Claire Harrison, MD

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Dr. Harrison on 5-Year Follow-Up Data on Ruxolitinib in Patients With Myelofibrosis