Polycythemia vera manifests as a myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with diverse symptoms, including aquagenic pruritis. This systematic review addresses the pressing need to enhance the understanding of the disease’s symptomatology and optimize treatment strategies for improved patient outcomes. The rarity and low prevalence of polycythemia vera underscore the importance of this investigation, as existing standard of care involves a multifaceted approach and significant healthcare costs. Despite advancement in therapeutic options, persistent symptoms and resistance to first-line treatments pose challenges. Ruxolitinib has emerged as a promising intervention, demonstrating clinically significant improvement for patients. This systematic review appraises three randomized controlled trials, shedding light on the efficacy of ruxolitinib and its potential to ameliorate pruritis symptoms in symptomatic patients.
References
[1]
Harrison, C.N., Nangalia, J., Boucher, R., et al. (2023) Ruxolitinib versus Best Available Therapy for Polycythemia Vera Intolerant or Resistant to Hydroxycarbamide in a Randomized Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 41, 3534-3544. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.22.01935
[2]
Raedler, L.A. (2015) Jakafi (Ruxolitinib): First FDA-Approved Medication for the Treatment of Patients with Polycythemia Vera. American Health & Drug Benefits, 8, 75-79
[3]
Stein, B.L., Moliterno, A.R. and Tiu, R.V. (2014) Polycythemia Vera Disease Burden: Contributing Factors, Impact on Quality of Life, And Emerging Treatment Options. Annals of Hematology, 93, 1965-1976. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-014-2205-y
[4]
Benevolo, G., Vassallo, F., Urbino, I. and Giai, V. (2021) Polycythemia Vera (PV): Update on Emerging Treatment Options. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 17, 209-221. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S213020
[5]
Tefferi, A., Vannucchi, A.M. and Barbui, T. (2021) Polycythemia Vera: Historical Oversights, Diagnostic Details, and Therapeutic Views. Leukemia, 35, 3339-3351. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3
[6]
Piris-Villaespesa, M., Munoz-Martin, G., Sanchez, R., et al. (2018) Prevalence of JAK2 V617F in Individuals That Meet World Health Organization Erythrocytosis Criteria for Polycythemia Vera. Blood, 132, 1775. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2018-99-110619
[7]
Mesa, R., Vannucchi, A.M., Yacoub, A., et al. (2017) The Efficacy and Safety of Continued Hydroxycarbamide Therapy Versus Switching to Ruxolitinib in Patients with Polycythaemia Vera: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Symptom Study (RELIEF). British Journal of Haematology, 176, 76-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.14382
[8]
Passamonti, F., Griesshammer, M., Palandri, F., et al. (2017) Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Inadequately Controlled Polycythaemia Vera without Splenomegaly (RESPONSE-2): A Randomised, Open-Label, Phase 3b Study. The Lancet Oncology, 18, 88-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(16)30558-7
[9]
Kiladjian, J., Zachee, P., Hino, M., et al. (2020) Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib versus Best Available Therapy in Polycythaemia Vera (RESPONSE): 5-Year Follow up of a Phase 3 Study. The Lancet Haematology, 7, E226-E237. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(19)30207-8
