Onkológia S2/2020

The effect of ruxolitinib on quality of life – a case report

Purpose: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by dysregulated kinase signaling, and release of abnormal cytokines. Myelofibrosis shortens survival and severely impairs quality of life. JAK inhibitors discovered in recent years are effective in the treatment of myelofibrosis. Ruxolitinib, an oral selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, has been shown to reduce splenomegaly and improve symptoms. Case: A 67-year-old patient with myelofibrosis associated with massive splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms that significantly affected his quality of life is presented. Following treatment with hydroxyurea that had not been tolerated by the patient, therapy with ruxolitinib was initiated. Despite a temporary dose reduction due to haematologic toxicity the positive effect on patient´s quality of life persisted. Conclusion: Our case report confirmed an improvement in the quality of the life in patient with myelofibrosis treated with ruxolitinib. There was a slight reduction in splenomegaly and disappearance of constitutional symptoms including kachexia, overall physical weakness and night sweats.

Keywords: myelofibrosis, splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms, JAK2 inhibitor, ruxolitinib