Outcomes of patients with myelofibrosis treated with ruxolitinib and anemia-supporting medications

Objective This post hoc analysis of the phase 3b JUMP trial evaluated addition of anemia-supporting medications to ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis and anemia.Methods 101 patients with baseline hemoglobin Results Baseline characteristics were similar to comparator JUMP patients (no ESAs/danazol within 3 months, n = 1242). Mean total daily ruxolitinib dose remained >25 mg. Week 24 spleen length response was achieved by 37% of patients; 26% achieved symptom response, similar to the comparator population (28% and 26%, respectively) and comparable to the total JUMP population (N = 2233). Outcomes were similar between the hemoglobin n = 52). In all groups, hemoglobin levels increased after Week 4 following an expected initial decrease.Discussion This analysis suggests that patients treated with ruxolitinib and anemia-supporting care continued to receive optimal ruxolitinib dosing; spleen-length and symptom response rates in these patients were comparable to the overall JUMP population, the majority of whom did not have anemia.Conclusion Results support use of anemia-supporting medications with ruxolitinib and may allow maintenance of ruxolitinib dose intensity in patients with myelofibrosis and anemia.