Emerging drugs for the treatment of myelofibrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with significant disease burden composed of splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms and a reduced life expectancy. The advent of targeted treatments has provided new means by which to improve MF associated splenomegaly, symptoms, health-related quality of life and even mortality.

Areas covered: We discuss the spectrum of targeted treatments currently under investigation for MF. We furthermore compare their effects on improving anemia, reducing fibrosis and splenomegaly and enhancing symptom control.

Expert opinion: MF is a complex disorder, partly attributable to its heterogeneity. Although the severity of patient symptoms correlates with risk category, high symptom burden may also be observed in low-risk patients. Serial use of PRO tools allows clinicians to objectively evaluate the MF symptom burden, compare efficacy of therapies and adjust medications to improve symptom control. Novel targeted agents have proven superior to historic treatment regimens for symptom management. Promising treatment categories include JAK2 inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, hypomethylating agents, heat shock protein-90 inhibitors, hedgehog inhibitors, PI3-AKT-mTOR inhibitors, antifibrosing agents and telomerase inhibitors. The majority of therapies remain under investigation, either alone or in combination with other treatments. It is anticipated that these agents will be increasingly integrated into standard treatment algorithms for MF symptom management.

Keywords:

• antifibrosing agents
• HDAC inhibitors
• hedgehog inhibitors
• HSP90 inhibitors
• hypomethylating agents
• JAK2 inhibitor
• myelofibrosis
• myeloproliferative neoplasms
• PI3-AKT-mTOR inhibitors
• quality of life
• symptoms
• targeted therapy, telomerase inhibitors

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.