Dr. Mesa on the Unique Characteristics of Pacritinib in Myelofibrosis

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, director of the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the unique characteristics of pacritinib (SB1518) in the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis.

One of the unique aspects of JAK2 inhibitor pacritinib is the safety and efficacy it has demonstrated in patients with low platelet counts, Mesa says. Additionally, the drug is effective against splenomegaly, as well as disease symptoms for patients with myelofibrosis, Mesa adds.

Many JAK2 inhibitors have thrombocytopenia as a dose limiting toxicity, and none of the current FDA approved JAK inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib (Jakafi) and fedratinib (Inrebic), have an indication for individuals with a platelet count of less than 50,000. Having application in this patient population sets pacritinib apart from other available treatments, Mesa concludes.