Video

Dr. Rampal on the Importance of Genomic Testing in Myelofibrosis

Raajit K. Rampal, MD, PhD, discusses the importance of genomic testing in myelofibrosis.

Raajit K. Rampal, MD, PhD, hematologic oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the importance of genomic testing in myelofibrosis.

The JAK inhibitors ruxolitinib (Jakafi) and fedratinib (Inrebic) have transformed the treatment paradigm of myelofibrosis, Rampal says. However, these therapies are not curative and most patients who start on ruxolitinib fail treatment within 3 to 5 years.

Genomic testing can provide critical insight into a patient’s disease, Rampal explains. For example, patients who harbor 3 or more mutations or specific mutations, such as ASXL1 or DNMT3A, are less likely to derive sustained responses from JAK inhibitor therapy.

Regardless of genomic information, JAK inhibitors should be given to patients with myelofibrosis to reduce splenomegaly and control symptoms, Rampal adds. However, genomic information can predict the degree to which a patient may benefit from treatment. For example, if a patient is likely to have a short-term response to a JAK inhibitor, a transplant or clinical trial should be considered, Rampal concludes.

Related Videos
Meletios (Thanos) Dimopoulos, MD, professor, therapeutics, Hematology Oncology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine
Adam E. Singer, MD, PhD, Health Sciences Clinical Instructor, medicine, division lead, kidney cancer, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA Health
Paul Chinfai Lee, MD, discusses the role of surgeons in regard to molecular testing in non–small cell lung cancer.
Neal D. Shore, MD, FACS
Sheldon M. Feldman, MD
Louis Crain Garrot, MD
Michel Delforge, MD, PhD
Thach-Giao Truong, MD
Aparna Parikh, MD
Benjamin P. Levy, MD, with Kristie Kahl and Andrew Svonavec