Ruxolitinib treatment outcomes in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) in a real-world setting in Finland - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Ruxolitinib treatment outcomes in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) in a real-world setting in Finland

Authors: Martelin, Eeva; Kuikka, Arttu; Rajala, Hanna; Ruohonen, Tuomas; Mönkkönen, Hannu; Vikkula, Johanna; Uusi-Rauva, Kristiina; Salmenniemi, Urpu; Itälä-Remes, Maija

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publishing place: NEW YORK

Publication year: 2025

Journal: Annals of Hematology

Journal name in source: Annals of Hematology

Journal acronym: ANN HEMATOL

Volume: 104

Issue: 6

First page : 3451

Last page: 3458

Number of pages: 8

ISSN: 0939-5555

eISSN: 1432-0584

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-025-06439-2

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-025-06439-2

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499354784

Abstract

In Europe, ruxolitinib is the first approved treatment for corticosteroid-refractory/-dependent acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD/cGvHD). This retrospective, non-interventional study evaluated the real-world efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in 56 adult aGvHD patients treated with ruxolitinib from January 2019 through August 2021 in Finland. The primary endpoint was best overall response rate (ORR) at any time. The main secondary endpoints were the time to response and loss of response, overall survival (OS), and corticosteroid discontinuation. The follow-up lasted until death/August 2022. The ORR was 91% (95% CI: 83.5-98.5; complete response [CR], 69.6%; partial response [PR], 21.4%). The median time to best response was 28 days (95% CI: 21-38). The median time to loss of response due to aGvHD progression, cGvHD, or a relapse-related death was 8.8 months (95% CI: 3.3-not reached). The most common cause of discontinuation was the achievement of response (64.3%). Two-thirds of the corticosteroid-treated patients discontinued corticosteroids before the end of follow-up; one-third were on a median dose of 0.2 mg/kg (IQR: 0.1-0.5) at the end of follow-up. The three-year OS was 64.1% (95% CI: 48.2-76.3). Ruxolitinib appears effective and safe in real-world practice. The presented data is in line with the results of clinical trials.

Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.

s00277-025-06439-2.pdf

Funding information in the publication:
This study was funded by Novartis Finland Oy.