Comparing Ruxolitinib to Hydroxycarbamide or Interferon for High Risk Polycythemia Vera
Official title: A Phase III, Randomised, Open-label, Multicenter International Trial Comparing Ruxolitinib With Either HydRoxycarbamIDe or Interferon Alpha as First Line ThErapy for High Risk Polycythemia Vera
Run by University of Birmingham · NCT04116502 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether ruxolitinib works better than hydroxycarbamide or interferon for people with high-risk polycythemia vera.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 586 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Birmingham Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | ruxolitinib |
| Locations | 55 sites (Aberdeen and 54 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 25, 2019 |
| Main results expected | October 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | April 1, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04116502 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a recent diagnosis of high-risk polycythemia vera.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with polycythemia vera diagnosed more than 15 years ago or those without a JAK-2 mutation may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This phase III, randomized-controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of ruxolitinib compared to best available therapy, which includes hydroxycarbamide or interferon alpha, in patients with high-risk polycythemia vera. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either ruxolitinib or the chosen best available therapy, with no cross-over allowed between treatment arms. The trial will be conducted across multiple international centers, ensuring a diverse patient population. The primary goal is to determine which treatment provides better outcomes for patients at high risk of complications from their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this trial could provide a more effective first-line treatment option for patients with high-risk polycythemia vera.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with ruxolitinib in similar patient populations, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Population:
High risk PV defined as WBC \>11 x 10\^9/l\* AND at least ONE of the following
* Age \>60 years
* Prior thrombosis or haemorrhage
* Platelet count \>1000 x 10\^9/l\*
* Hypertension or diabetes requiring pharmacological therapy (\*At any time since diagnosis)
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Patient ≥18 years of age
2. Diagnosis of PV meeting the WHO criteria within the past 15 years
3. Meets criteria of high risk\* PV (see above for specific population)
4. Patients must have a screening haemoglobin of \>8g/dl
5. Patients may have received antiplatelet agents and venesection
6. Patients may have received ONE cytoreductive therapy for PV less than 10 years (BUT they should not be resistant or intolerant to that therapy)
7. Able to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Diagnosis of PV \> 15 years previously
2. Absence of JAK-2 mutation
3. Patients with any contraindications to any of the investigational medical products
4. Treatment with \>1 cytoreductive therapy OR a cytoreductive treatment duration exceeding 10 years OR resistance/intolerance to that therapy
5. Active infection including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, Tuberculosis
6. Pregnant or lactating patients (Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or blood Human Chorionic Gonadotropin pregnancy test prior to trial entry)
7. Patients with lactose allergies, hypersensitivities, or rare hereditary problems, of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose- galactose malabsorption
8. Patients with uncontrolled neuropsychiatric disorders
9. Patients with uncontrolled cutaneous cancers
10. Patients and partners not prepared to adopt highly effective contraception measures (if sexually active) whilst on treatment and for at least 6 months after completion of study medication
11. ECOG Performance Status Score ≥ 3
12. Uncontrolled rapid or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, uncontrolled or unstable angina, recent (within the last 6 months) myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome or any clinically significant cardiac disease \> NYHA ( New York Heart Association) Class II
13. Patients who have transformed to myelofibrosis
14. Previous treatment with ruxolitinib
15. Previous (within the last 12 months) or current platelet count \<100 x 109/L or neutrophil count \< 1 x 109/L not due to therapy
16. Inadequate liver function as defined by ALT/AST \>2.0 x ULN
17. Inadequate renal function as defined by eGFR \< 30 mls/min
18. Unable to give informed consent
Additional Exclusion Criteria for France Only
19. All women of childbearing potential (as per Appendix 8 definition)
20. No affiliation with the French healthcare system
21. Persons under psychiatric care that would impede understanding of informed consent and optimal treatment and follow-up
22. Adults subject to a legal protection measure (guardianship, curatorship and safeguard of justice)
23. Patients deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision
Where it's running
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Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal United Hospital
Bath, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Belfast City Hospital
Belfast, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
Birmingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Blackpool, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Glan Clwyd Hospital
Bodelwyddan, United Kingdom Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Bournemouth, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Southmead Hospital
Bristol, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Cambridge, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Canterbury, United Kingdom Recruiting -
University Hospital of Wales
Cardiff, United Kingdom Recruiting -
St Richard's Hospital
Chichester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Colchester Hospital
Colchester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Castle Hill Hospital
Cottingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
University Hospital
Coventry, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Russells Hall Hospital
Dudley, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Western General Hospital
Edinburgh, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Exeter, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Gloucester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Raigmore Hospital
Inverness, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Ipswich Hospital
Ipswich, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Kettering General Hospital
Kettering, United Kingdom Recruiting -
St James's University Hospital
Leeds, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Leicester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
St John's Hospital
Livingston, United Kingdom Recruiting -
University College Hospital
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Guy's Hospital
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
St George's Hospital
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Wythenshawe Hospital
Manchester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Arrowe Park Hospital
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, United Kingdom Recruiting -
The James Cook University Hospital
Middlesbrough, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Freeman Hospital
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Gwent Hospital
Newport, United Kingdom Recruiting -
North Tyneside General Hospital
North Shields, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Northampton General Hospital
Northampton, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Norwich, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Nottingham City Hospital
Nottingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
George Eliot Hospital
Nuneaton, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Churchill Hospital
Oxford, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Derriford Hospital
Plymouth, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Reading, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Halton Hospital
Runcorn, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Sheffield, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Wexham Park Hospital
Slough, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Stoke University Hospital
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Sunderland, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Good Hope Hospital
Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Cornwall Hospital
Truro, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Warwick Hospital
Warwick, United Kingdom Recruiting
+5 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Claire Harrison — Acting on behalf of the Sponsor (UK), Guy's Hospital, London, UK, SE1 9RT
- Study coordinator: Natalia Morelli
- Email: mithridate@trials.bham.ac.uk
- Phone: +44(0)121 414 2535
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Combining pegylated interferon α-2b with ruxolitinib for treating resistant polycythemia vera
This study is testing if combining two medications, pegylated interferon α-2b and ruxolitinib, can help people with polycythemia vera who haven't responded well to other treatments feel better.
-
Using Ruxolitinib to treat symptoms of essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera
This study is testing if the drug Ruxolitinib can help reduce symptoms for people with low-risk essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera.
-
Combining decitabine with ruxolitinib, fedratinib, or pacritinib for treating advanced myeloproliferative neoplasms
This study is testing if combining decitabine with other medications can help patients with advanced blood cancers get ready for a stem cell transplant.
-
Graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant: testing LBP-MARCO with ruxolitinib
We are testing whether combining LBP-MARCO with ruxolitinib is safe for adults with GVHD after a stem cell transplant.
-
MPNdpoint: Long-term Look at Philadelphia-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
This study tests how outcomes differ for patients 16 and older with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, or myelofibrosis by collecting and analyzing clinical and treatment data.
-
DMR-001 in CALR-mutant myeloproliferative neoplasms
This study tests DMR-001 alone for CALR-mutant essential thrombocythemia or myelofibrosis, and in combination with ruxolitinib for CALR-mutant myelofibrosis.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.