Dr. Mesa on the Emergence of JAK Inhibitors in Myelofibrosis

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, director of the Mays Cancer Center at the University of Texas Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the emergence of JAK inhibitors in myelofibrosis. 

Initially, JAK inhibitors were tested in patients with poor prognosis, explains Mesa.

Now, 2 JAK inhibitors, ruxolitinib (Jakafi) and fedratinib (Inrebic)​, are approv​ed for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis. Notably, ruxolitinib is a JAK1/2 inhibitor, whereas fedratinib specifically ​inhibits JAK2. 

JAK inhibitors are increasingly being used in early-stage disease, wherein they are showing equal value in mitigating disease-related symptoms, Mesa concludes.