Video

Dr. Michaelis on Treating Patients With Myelofibrosis and Anemia

Laura C. Michaelis, MD, discusses the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis and anemia.

Laura C. Michaelis, MD, associate professor of medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis and anemia.

It is common for patients with myelofibrosis to present with anemia, says Michaelis. Notably, treatment with ruxolitinib (Jakafi) may exacerbate anemia in this patient population.

Combining ruxolitinib with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent like darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), or an androgen agent like danazol (Danocrine) may mitigate anemia in some patients.

Additionally, some patients with myelofibrosis and anemia have extramedullary hematopoiesis resulting from an enlarged spleen. Patients receiving ruxolitinib may see a rise in their hemoglobin as their spleen shrinks despite the drug’s myelosuppressive effect, concludes Michaelis.

Related Videos
Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO
Christina S. Baik, MD, MPH
Dana Zakalik, MD
David C. Fisher, MD
Kevin Kalinsky, MD, MS
Alberto Montero, MD, MBA, CPHQ
R. Lor Randall, MD, FACS
Daniel E. Haggstrom, MD
Jairam Krishnamurthy, MD, FACP
Yair Lotan, MD, professor, urology, chief, urologic oncology, Jane and John Justin Distinguished Chair in Urology, UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center; medical director, Urology Clinic, UT Southwestern and Parkland Health and Hospital System