Video

Dr. Garcia on the Tolerability of Navitoclax/Ruxolitinib in Myelofibrosis

Jacqueline S. Garcia, MD, discusses the tolerability of the combination of navitoclax plus ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis.

Jacqueline S. Garcia, MD, instructor in medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Harvard Medical School, and physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses the tolerability of the combination of navitoclax plus ruxolitinib (Jakafi) in patients with myelofibrosis.

Half of the patients with high-risk molecular mutations had ≥2 mutations, explains Garcia. Data suggest that the more mutations a patient has, the more resistant they will be to therapy. A spleen volume response (SVR) was seen in 43% of patients and responses could have occurred beyond 6 months, suggesting that with longer follow-up, there might be an improvement in SVR, says Garcia. Assessments and paired questionnaires showed that total symptom score was reduced in 65% of patients from week 24 compared with baseline.

Furthermore, patients found the regimen tolerable. The combination showed evidence of thrombocytopenia, fatigue, and diarrhea but most were low grade. There was 1 patient with isolated grade 4 thrombocytopenia, but it was reversible with a temporary dose hold and the patient was able to resume therapy, concludes Garcia.

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