Dr. Mesa on Navigating the Expanding Paradigm of JAK Inhibitors in MPNs

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, director of the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses strategies for navigating the expanding paradigm of JAK inhibitors in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

The increasing number of available JAK inhibitors represents a significant advancement in the field of MPNs, including myelofibrosis, Mesa explains. Moreover, data are emerging demonstrating that JAK inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib (Jakafi), fedratinib (Inrebic), and momelotinib, can favorably improve survival among responders with MPNs. Although similar data have not yet emerged for pacritinib, it is likely that the JAK inhibitor will also elicit a survival benefit for patients, Mesa says.

With these agents, treatment selection and dosing have remained topics of clinical discussion, Mesa explains. For example, optimal treatment selection may be based on factors such as blood counts, inflammation, hepcidin levels, or other biomarkers. Ultimately, JAK inhibitors will likely remain a cornerstone of treatment for patients with MPNs and have the potential to be combined with additional agents to enhance efficacy, Mesa concludes.