Dr. Snyder Discusses Emerging Agents in Myelofibrosis

David S. Snyder, MD, associate chair and professor, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, discusses emerging agents in myelofibrosis.

The field of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is hitting its stride, says Snyder. There are multiple molecular markers and driver mutations being found, and investigators are beginning to better understand that secondary mutations are prognostically important. The hope is that some of these findings will lead to targeted therapies for the treatment of patients with MPNs.

One of these targeted agents is the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (Jakafi). Ruxolitinib is being used in the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis, and it is the only FDA-approved drug in this indication. There are other JAK2 inhibitors in clinical trials, such as pacritinib. Synder says that there are also non-JAK2 inhibitors being studied in myelofibrosis, including the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat.