Dr. Gerds on the State of Treatment in MPNs

Aaron Gerds, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the Hematology and Medical Oncology Department at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, discusses the state of treatment in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

JAK/STAT inhibitors are the current staples of treatment in MPNs, says Gerds. Currently, 2 JAK inhibitors, ruxolitinib (Jakafi) and fedratinib (Inrebic), are FDA approved for use in the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis. Ruxolitinib is also indicated in polycythemia vera (PV).

Although these drugs have had a significant impact on patients’ lives, the field is eager to move forward with novel combinations. Now, these approved agents are going to be evaluated in combination with other drugs in an attempt to broaden their utility, concludes Gerds.