Clinical trial Recruiting at 53 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

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

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment586 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Birmingham
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsruxolitinib
Locations55 sites (Aberdeen and 54 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 25, 2019
Main results expectedOctober 31, 2028
Study endsApril 1, 2030
Registry record updatedOctober 26, 2026
Trial IDNCT04116502 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

  • 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
  • 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

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.