Dr. Ruben Mesa on Late-Stage Trials in Myelofibrosis

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, describes three phase II and phase III trials in myelofibrosis.

Pomalidomide will be compared to placebo to determine the true benefit of the drug for anemia. Pomalidomide may be active on its own or it may prove to be a natural complement to JAK2 inhibitor therapy, according to Mesa.

Another phase III study will examine the efficacy of SAR302503 in comparison to placebo.

Data from parallel phase II combination studies will examine ruxolitinib in combination with agents to help inhibit fibrosis, improve anemia, or target downstream pathways of JAK2.

New data and upcoming trial make it an exciting time for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms, Mesa says.