pacritinib

Pacritinib is an oral medication used to treat certain types of myelofibrosis, a bone marrow disorder. It is specifically indicated for adults with primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, or post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis who have a platelet count below 50 x 10^9/L. Myelofibrosis is characterized by scarring of the bone marrow, which can lead to anemia, an enlarged spleen, and other serious symptoms.

Pacritinib works by inhibiting Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3). JAK2 is a key protein involved in the signaling pathways that contribute to the abnormal growth of blood cells and the development of fibrosis in myelofibrosis. By blocking this signaling, pacritinib aims to reduce the proliferation of abnormal cells and alleviate symptoms.

The drug is administered orally, typically once a day. Common side effects associated with pacritinib include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and low blood platelet counts. It is important for patients to be monitored by a healthcare professional during treatment. Pacritinib is a prescription medication and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified physician.