Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis: a retrospective and multicenter experience in Turkey

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis. Materials and methods: From 15 centers, 176 patients (53.4% male, 46.6% female) were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The median age at ruxolitinib initiation was 62 (28-87) and 100 (56.8%) of all were diagnosed as PMF. Constitutional symptoms were observed in 84.7%. The median initiation dose of ruxolitinib was 30 mg (10-40). Dose change was made in 69 (39.2%) patients. Forty seven (35.6%) and 20 (15.2%) of 132 patients had hematological and nonhematological adverse events, respectively. The mean spleen sizes before and after ruxolitinib treatment were 219.67 +/- 46.79 mm versus 199.49 +/- 40.95 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between baseline features and subsequent spleen response. Overall survival at 1-year was 89.5% and the median follow up was 10 (1-55) months. We could not show any relationship between survival and reduction in spleen size (p = 0.73). Conclusion: We found ruxolitinib to be safe, well tolerated, and effective in real-life clinical practice in Turkey. Ruxolitinib dose titration can provide better responses in terms of not only clinical benefit but also for long term of ruxolitinib treatment.