Dr. Mesa on the Utility of Ruxolitinib Versus Fedratinib in Myelofibrosis

Ruben Mesa, MD, the director of the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the use of ruxolitinib (Jakafi) versus fedratinib (Inrebic) in patients with myelofibrosis and baseline thrombocytopenia.

Individuals with baseline thrombocytopenia are traditionally given ruxolitinib at a reduced dose based on the degree of thrombocytopenia, says Mesa. Although there are also some concerns regarding safety or a suboptimal benefit due to patients receiving a reduced dose. A full dose of fedratinib in that group of patients suggests that it is an option to consider for the second-line setting. However, based on recent data, it would also be a reasonable option for the frontline setting as well, in a patient with baseline thrombocytopenia in the 50,000 to 100,000 platelet range, concludes Mesa.