Polycythemia Vera Resources for Healthcare Professionals | Jakafi HCP
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Perspectives and Insights From PV Experts

The resources on this page offer information and insights about Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) and treatment of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea (HU). Be sure to check back regularly as new materials will be added as they become available.

Dr Mesa’s Perspective: Controlling Hct and Assessing Symptoms in Patients With Polycythemia Vera
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Dr Mesa’s Perspective: Controlling Hct and Assessing Symptoms in Patients With Polycythemia Vera (PV)

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Dr Mesa’s Perspective:
Controlling Hct and Assessing
Symptoms in Patients With
Polycythemia Vera

Hematologist-oncologist Dr Ruben Mesa discusses the importance of targeting optimal blood counts, assessing disease-related symptoms, and understanding when it may be the right time to intervene with Jakafi.

Dr Kuykendall's Perspective: Durable Hct Control in Patients With PV
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Dr Kuykendall's Perspective: Hct Control and WBC Reduction in Patients With PV

Dr Kuykendall's Perspective:
Hct Control and WBC Reduction in Patients With PV

Hematologist-oncologist Dr Andrew Kuykendall shares how he manages progressive white blood cell (WBC) counts and when it may be time to intervene with Jakafi.

Dr Kuykendall's Perspective: Hct Control and WBC Reduction in Patients With PV
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Dr Kuykendall's Perspective: Durable Hct Control in Patients With PV

Dr Kuykendall's Perspective:
Durable Hct Control in Patients With PV

Hematologist-oncologist Dr Andrew Kuykendall discusses maintaining strict hematocrit (Hct) control and when it may be time to intervene with Jakafi.

Dr Kuykendall's Perspective: Hct Control and Assessing Symptoms in Patients With PV
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Dr Kuykendall's Perspective: Controlling Hct and Assessing Symptoms in Patients With PV

Dr Kuykendall's Perspective:
Controlling Hct and Assessing Symptoms in Patients With PV

Hematologist-oncologist Dr Andrew Kuykendall details how he uncovers symptoms in patients with PV, and when it may be time to intervene with Jakafi.

Illustration of the JAK- STAT pathway for the Mechanism of Action of Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) video
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Mechanism of Action of Jakafi

Mechanism of Action of Jakafi

Hematology specialist Dr Harry Erba reviews the mechanism of action of Jakafi, a JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, highlighting how Jakafi works to inhibit overactive JAK pathway signaling. Dr Erba also discusses... Read More

Image of video for Dosing of Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) in Patients With Polycythemia Vera Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to or Are Intolerant of Hydroxyurea
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Dosing of Jakafi in Patients With PV Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to or Are Intolerant of HU

Dosing of Jakafi in Patients With PV Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to or Are Intolerant of HU

Hematology specialist Dr Harry Erba discusses the appropriate dosing of Jakafi in patients with... Read More

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Indications and Usage

Jakafi is indicated for treatment of polycythemia vera (PV) in adults who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea.

Jakafi is indicated for treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post-polycythemia vera MF and post-essential thrombocythemia MF in adults.

Jakafi is indicated for treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older.

Jakafi is indicated for treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or two lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older.

Important Safety Information

  • Treatment with Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) can cause thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia, which are each dose-related effects. Perform a pre-treatment complete blood count (CBC) and monitor CBCs every 2 to 4 weeks until doses are stabilized, and then as clinically indicated
  • Manage thrombocytopenia by reducing the dose or temporarily interrupting Jakafi. Platelet transfusions may be necessary
  • Patients developing anemia may require blood transfusions and/or dose modifications of Jakafi
  • Severe neutropenia (ANC <0.5 × 109/L) was generally reversible by withholding Jakafi until recovery
  • Serious bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and viral infections have occurred. Delay starting Jakafi until active serious infections have resolved. Observe patients receiving Jakafi for signs and symptoms of infection and manage promptly. Use active surveillance and prophylactic antibiotics according to clinical guidelines
  • Tuberculosis (TB) infection has been reported. Observe patients taking Jakafi for signs and symptoms of active TB and manage promptly. Prior to initiating Jakafi, evaluate patients for TB risk factors and test those at higher risk for latent infection. Consult a physician with expertise in the treatment of TB before starting Jakafi in patients with evidence of active or latent TB. Continuation of Jakafi during treatment of active TB should be based on the overall risk-benefit determination
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has occurred with Jakafi treatment. If PML is suspected, stop Jakafi and evaluate
  • Herpes zoster infection has been reported in patients receiving Jakafi. Advise patients about early signs and symptoms of herpes zoster and to seek early treatment. Herpes simplex virus reactivation and/or dissemination has been reported in patients receiving Jakafi. Monitor patients for the development of herpes simplex infections. If a patient develops evidence of dissemination of herpes simplex, consider interrupting treatment with Jakafi; patients should be promptly treated and monitored according to clinical guidelines
  • Increases in hepatitis B viral load with or without associated elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase have been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Monitor and treat patients with chronic HBV infection according to clinical guidelines
  • When discontinuing Jakafi, myeloproliferative neoplasm-related symptoms may return within one week. After discontinuation, some patients with myelofibrosis have experienced fever, respiratory distress, hypotension, DIC, or multi-organ failure. If any of these occur after discontinuation or while tapering Jakafi, evaluate and treat any intercurrent illness and consider restarting or increasing the dose of Jakafi. Instruct patients not to interrupt or discontinue Jakafi without consulting their physician. When discontinuing or interrupting Jakafi for reasons other than thrombocytopenia or neutropenia, consider gradual tapering rather than abrupt discontinuation
  • Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) including basal cell, squamous cell, and Merkel cell carcinoma have occurred. Perform periodic skin examinations
  • Treatment with Jakafi has been associated with increases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. Assess lipid parameters 8-12 weeks after initiating Jakafi. Monitor and treat according to clinical guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia
  • Another JAK-inhibitor has increased the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (compared to those treated with tumor TNF blockers) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition for which Jakafi is not indicated. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with Jakafi particularly in patients who are current or past smokers and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur
  • Another JAK-inhibitor has increased the risk of thrombosis, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and arterial thrombosis (compared to those treated with TNF blockers) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition for which Jakafi is not indicated. In patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera (PV) treated with Jakafi in clinical trials, the rates of thromboembolic events were similar in Jakafi and control treated patients. Patients with symptoms of thrombosis should be promptly evaluated and treated appropriately
  • Another JAK-inhibitor has increased the risk of lymphoma and other malignancies excluding NMSC (compared to those treated with TNF blockers) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition for which Jakafi is not indicated. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with Jakafi, particularly in patients with a known secondary malignancy (other than a successfully treated NMSC), patients who develop a malignancy, and patients who are current or past smokers
  • In myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, the most common nonhematologic adverse reactions (incidence ≥15%) were bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea. In acute graft-versus-host disease, the most common nonhematologic adverse reactions (incidence >50%) were infections (pathogen not specified) and edema. In chronic graft-versus-host disease, the most common nonhematologic adverse reactions (incidence >20%) were infections (pathogen not specified) and viral infections
  • Avoid concomitant use with fluconazole doses greater than 200 mg. Dose modifications may be required when administering Jakafi with fluconazole doses of 200 mg or less, or with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, or in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Patients should be closely monitored and the dose titrated based on safety and efficacy
  • Use of Jakafi during pregnancy is not recommended and should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Women taking Jakafi should not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the final dose

Please see Full Prescribing Information for Jakafi.

Jakafi and the Jakafi logo are registered trademarks of Incyte. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2014-2023, Incyte. MAT-JAK-04168  02/23

Jakafi and the Jakafi logo are registered trademarks of Incyte. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2014-2023, Incyte. MAT-JAK-04168  02/23