Pacritinib bests BAT despite study truncation

Conclusions

Despite study truncation, pacritinib (QD+BID) was significantly more effective than BAT for SVR (P=0.001) and trended toward improved TSS (P=0.079).

Pacritinib BID appeared more effective than QD versus BAT for SVR and TSS, and pacritinib BID appeared to have a better benefit/risk profile than BAT.

“This is a well-tolerated drug in many respects,” Dr Mascarenhas said. “This is a patient population that is quite ill, low platelets, poor outcome, and they did pretty well.”

When asked about the future of pacritinib, Dr Mascarenhas said he believes the benefit-to-risk ratio is in favor of the drug.

“Pacritinib offers patients in this vulnerable situation an opportunity for symptom relief, basically spleen and symptoms,” he said. “So I think this is a drug that will hopefully move forward.”

Dr Mascarenhas disclosed research funding from CTI Biopharma, the sponsor of the trial.