Swiss drug giant Novartis AG (NVS) Tuesday said its investigational blood cancer drug Jakavi (ruxolitinib) achieved significant improvement in disease control in a late stage study.
The late stage study of Jakavi was conducted for the treatment of patients with polycythemia vera, an incurable blood cancer associated with an overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow. Polycythemia vera can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, such as stroke and heart attack.
Novartis said Jakavi significantly improved hematocrit control without the need for phlebotomy, a procedure to remove blood from the body to reduce the concentration of red blood cells) and reduced spleen size in patients with polycythemia vera who are resistant to or intolerant of hydroxyurea.
Srdan Verstovsek said, "In the RESPONSE trial, patients treated with ruxolitinib showed better disease control, including controlled hematocrit levels without the need for phlebotomy, reduced spleen size and improved symptom management compared to current therapies."
In the study, 77 percent of patients on Jakavi achieved one or both of the endpoint of improved hematocrit control and spleen size reduction, compared to 20 percent on the patients who were treated on the best available therapy.
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