A phase 2 study of pracinostat combined with ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis

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20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although ruxolitinib improves symptoms and splenomegaly in patients with advanced myelofibrosis, whether this agent is truly disease-modifying remains unclear. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) downregulate JAK2 via interference with chaperone function. Pracinostat, a pan-HDACi, has modest single-agent activity in myelofibrosis. We conducted a single-institution, phase 2, investigator-initiated trial of ruxolitinib plus pracinostat (begun after 12 weeks of ruxolitinib) in 25 patients with myelofibrosis, of whom 20 received both agents. Sixteen (80%) patients had objective responses (all ‘clinical improvement’). The rate of spleen response (by palpation) was 74%, and that of symptom response 80%. Most responses occurred prior to pracinostat initiation. Three patients experienced improvement in bone marrow fibrosis, and one a near-complete molecular response after two years on study treatment. All patients discontinued pracinostat and are currently off-study. Pracinostat interruptions and dose reductions were frequent, often due to worsening anemia. These findings do not support continued development of pracinostat in myelofibrosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1767-1774
Number of pages8
JournalLeukemia and Lymphoma
Volume60
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 7 2019

Keywords

  • HDAC inhibitors
  • JAK2 inhibitors
  • Myelofibrosis
  • rational combinations
  • targeted therapies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Biostatistics Resource Group
  • Clinical Trials Office

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