Ruxolitinib

Ruxolitinib

  • Pregnancy category C
  • Jakavi, Jakafi
  • Topical, oral
  • JAK1/2

FDA

  • Steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (GVHD)
  • Myelofibrosis
  • Polycythemia Vera

Off-label

  • Atopic dermatitis 
  • Psoriasis 
  • Alopecia areata (recurrence of alopecia areata observed after discontinuation)
  • Vitiligo 

Reports

  • Cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis
  • Chronic spontaneous urticaria
  • Cutaneous sarcoidosis
  • Hypereosinophilic syndrome
  • Chilblain lupus
  • Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
  • Pyoderma gangrenosum
  • Pembrolizumab-induced rash

Infections

  • Nasopharyngitis & upper respiratory tract infections (most common), bacterial, fungal, viral & opportunistic infections

Cardiovascular

  • Bradycardia & prolong PR interval
  • Hemorrhage 

Cutaneous

  • Non-melanoma skin cancers (report of eruptive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma), Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) 

Laboratory changes

  • Anemia
  • Neutropenia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Hyperlipidemia

* For topical Ruxolitinib, systemic side effects observed with application >10% body surface area or 3.75g

  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increase toxicity; if to be co-administered, reduce Ruxolitinib dose by 50%

Baseline

  • Complete blood count with differential
  • Electrolytes
  • Liver function tests
  • Lipid profile
  • Hepatitis B & C
  • Tuberculosis evaluation
  • Pregnancy test 

Follow up

  • Annual physical exam for skin cancers 
  • Monitor for signs/symptoms of infections including tuberculosis 
  • Complete blood count with differential
  • Liver function test
  • Lipid profile
  • Repeat labs every 4-8 weeks after initiation, then every 3 months

Notes

  • Discontinue if ANC <500
  • Avoid live vaccines