Clinical trial of JAK2 inhibitors to treat myelofibrosis (MF) opened in the US in 2007. Two compounds have been tried to date in patients with MF. The first of these called CEP70 showed little or no activity. A second inhibitor called Incyte (INCB108424) is under trial at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US and has shown more encouraging results.

In June 2008, MD Anderson reported promising results with Incyte. Dr Verstovsek, MD, PhD stated, "This [Incycte] study continues to demonstrate that JAK1/2 inhibition can lead to rapid clinical benefits in myelofibrosis patients, including unprecedented reductions in splenomegaly which affects the majority of these patients. We have also seen impressive and clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue, night seats and pruritus, as well as increased appetite and weight gain in the majority of treated patients - all of which are important improvements in their clinical condition." Click here to read the full text of the Incycte press release.

Trials in the UK originally scheduled for 2008 have been cancelled at this time. However, seven additional compounds are poised to enter clinical trials, and many more drugs are likely to be available in the near future. We look forward to a promising new era in treating myelofibrosis.

Read more about JAK2:

JAK2: Fast facts
JAK2: Your questions answered
Research papers

You can learn much more about the JAK2 inhibitor trials from several organisations in the United States. The MPD Foundation raises funds for MPD research and reports on clinical trials, press releases from biotech and pharmaceutical companies and the latest discoveries. You can also learn about open clinical trials in the United States from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI)'s websites.