Lloyd Damon, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed the study and noted that although ruxolitinib (Jakafi) is associated with a fair amount of anemia and thrombocytopenia, pacritinib did not increase these conditions in PERSIST-1. In fact, treatment was associated with a reduction in the need for transfusions. The lack of such toxicity allows pacritinib to be given to patients with low platelet counts, for whom ruxolitinib is not indicated or is used at a lower and possibly less effective dose.

For these reasons, he said, “Pacritinib is a very important agent for patients with advanced disease.” ■

Disclosure: Dr. Damon reported no potential conflicts of interest.