Ruxolitinib: a potent and selective Janus kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor in patients with myelofibrosis. An update for clinicians

Ruxolitinib became the first US Food and Drug Administration approved therapy for myelofibrosis in 2011 and EU approval is anticipated in summer 2012. Two large phase III trials (known as the COMFORT studies) were the basis for this approval and were published recently. In this review article we discuss the challenges in managing myelofibrosis, the information to date about ruxolitinib and speculate as to the future direction with this and similar agents.