Does Ruxolitinib, in Comparison to Best Available Therapy (BAT), Improve Pruritis Symptoms in Patients with Polycythemia Vera?

Polycythemia vera manifests as a myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with diverse symptoms, including aquagenic pruritis. This systematic review addresses the pressing need to enhance the understanding of the disease’s symptomatology and optimize treatment strategies for improved patient outcomes. The rarity and low prevalence of polycythemia vera underscore the importance of this investigation, as existing standard of care involves a multifaceted approach and significant healthcare costs. Despite advancement in therapeutic options, persistent symptoms and resistance to first-line treatments pose challenges. Ruxolitinib has emerged as a promising intervention, demonstrating clinically significant improvement for patients. This systematic review appraises three randomized controlled trials, shedding light on the efficacy of ruxolitinib and its potential to ameliorate pruritis symptoms in symptomatic patients.