Ruxolitinib
Encyclopedia
Ruxolitinib is a drug being investigated for the treatment of myeloproliferative disease
s, plaque psoriasis, and various types of cancer
. It is a Janus kinase inhibitor
with selectivity for subtypes 1 and 2 of this enzyme.
Results from Phase II clinical trial
s suggest that the drug can substantially improve symptoms and reduce spleen
size in myelofibrosis
patients, but it has not been shown to produce remission. , it is undergoing Phase III trials studying myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera
.
In June 2011, it was announced that both phase III trials of ruxolitinib in the treatment of myelofibrosis (COMFORT-I and -II) met their primary endpoints of a significant increase in number of patients experiencing at least 35% reduction of spleen volume.
In November 2011, Ruxolitinib was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis based on results of the COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II Trials.
Myeloproliferative disease
The myeloproliferative diseases are a group of diseases of the bone marrow in which excess cells are produced. They are related to, and may evolve into, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, although the myeloproliferative diseases on the whole have a much better prognosis than...
s, plaque psoriasis, and various types of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. It is a Janus kinase inhibitor
Janus kinase inhibitor
Janus kinase inhibitor is a class of medicines that function by inhibiting the effect of one or more of the Janus kinase family of enzymes , interfering with the JAK-STAT signaling pathway....
with selectivity for subtypes 1 and 2 of this enzyme.
Results from Phase II clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
s suggest that the drug can substantially improve symptoms and reduce spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
size in myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis, also known as myeloid metaplasia, chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, osteomyelofibrosis and primary myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow...
patients, but it has not been shown to produce remission. , it is undergoing Phase III trials studying myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera
Polycythemia vera
Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. It may also result in the overproduction of white blood cells and platelets. Most of the health concerns associated with polycythemia vera are caused by the blood being thicker as a result of the...
.
In June 2011, it was announced that both phase III trials of ruxolitinib in the treatment of myelofibrosis (COMFORT-I and -II) met their primary endpoints of a significant increase in number of patients experiencing at least 35% reduction of spleen volume.
In November 2011, Ruxolitinib was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis based on results of the COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II Trials.