Dr. Mesa on Future Research Efforts With JAK Inhibitors in Myelofibrosis

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, director of the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses future research efforts with JAK inhibitors in myelofibrosis.

Considering the significance of JAK inhibitors in myelofibrosis, breakthroughs will be needed in terms of monitoring, Mesa says. Moreover, when looking at progression-free and overall survival, it is important to further examine how the data correlate with the exact degree of splenomegaly shrinkage or symptom improvement, as well as the overall impact on the biology of the disease, Mesa explains. Overall, the realm of correlative studies will be important to further understand the utility of these agents in myelofibrosis, Mesa adds.

Needed research efforts includes those monitoring molecular markers, as well as inflammatory markers that may change much rapidly, Mesa continues. As these breakthroughs continue to reshape the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis, it will be important to note that if there are multiple therapies, it will be necessary to have more evidence-based ways of sequencing them, Mesa concludes.