By: Allen Wilbanks
Date: October 01, 2023
In a conference room filled with medical professionals and researchers, the audience leaned forward, eager to hear the insights of the esteemed Raajit Rampal, MD. As he took the stage, he couldn’t help but make a light-hearted comment about the outdated slides he was presented with.
“That’s an outdated slide,” Dr. Rampal remarked with a chuckle. “The Abe is now a full professor.” His comment drew a few laughs from the audience, setting a relaxed tone for the presentation.
Dr. Rampal then introduced his collaborator, Doctor Ramal, with warm praise. “And now from the nation’s second best cancer center, is my illustrious friend and collaborator, Doctor Ramal, talking about Rux and Fedratinib.” The respect between the two doctors was evident in their camaraderie.
Rajit continued, reflecting on the shifting rankings of their cancer center. “I mean, there isn’t. I mean, we were number one about three or four years ago. We flipped. What do you have to say about that?” He playfully teased the audience, expecting a response.
However, the audience seemed to be momentarily caught off guard by his remark. Rajit couldn’t help but smile. “Man, are you completely derailing? I usually have a comeback.”
His remark prompted a round of laughter, and the audience quickly got back on track, eagerly awaiting the valuable information he was about to share.
Dr. Rampal then smoothly transitioned to the main topic of his presentation: Ruxolitinib and Fedratinib in the context of treating myelofibrosis. He began by outlining a case study of a seventy-six-year-old patient with specific clinical characteristics, emphasizing the importance of tailoring treatment to individual patient needs.
“These are my consulting fees,” he quipped, displaying a sense of humor even in the midst of a serious medical discussion. “So, let’s start by putting this into context,” he continued, guiding the audience through the complexities of myelofibrosis treatment.
He stressed the significance of selecting the right treatment approach based on the patient’s clinical issues, whether it be addressing anemia, splenomegaly, or other symptoms. Dr. Rampal’s message was clear: the choice of treatment should match the patient’s unique needs.
As he delved deeper into the discussion of Ruxolitinib and Fedratinib, Dr. Rampal used a recycled slide to illustrate the landscape of JAK inhibitors. He explained the differences in their targets and indications, highlighting the importance of platelet count when choosing the appropriate medication.
Dr. Rampal provided valuable insights into the dosing of Ruxolitinib, emphasizing the need for dose optimization to achieve optimal results in spleen volume reduction and symptom relief. He stressed that simply prescribing a JAK inhibitor wasn’t enough; it required careful consideration and individualized dosing.
He also discussed the correlation between spleen volume reduction and survival, advocating for regular monitoring of spleen volume, much like in lymphoma patients, to improve outcomes for myelofibrosis patients.