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Evaluating pacritinib for patients with myelofibrosis and low platelet counts

A Randomized, Controlled Phase 3 Study of Pacritinib Versus Physician's Choice in Patients with Primary Myelofibrosis, Post Polycythemia Vera Myelofibrosis, or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia Myelofibrosis with Severe Thrombocytopenia (Platelet Count <50,000/μL)(PACIFICA)

Phase 3 Interventional Swedish Orphan Biovitrum · NCT03165734

This study is testing if a new drug called pacritinib can help people with myelofibrosis and low platelet counts feel better compared to standard treatments chosen by their doctors.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment399 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSwedish Orphan Biovitrum Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionspacritinib, ruxolitinib, fedratinib, momelotinib
Locations185 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 184 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03165734 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase 3 study compares the efficacy of pacritinib, administered at a dose of 200 mg twice daily, against physician's choice therapy in patients suffering from primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, or post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis who have severe thrombocytopenia. Approximately 399 patients will be enrolled and randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either pacritinib or a selected P/C therapy, which includes corticosteroids, hydroxyurea, danazol, or low-dose ruxolitinib. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of pacritinib in improving patient outcomes compared to standard treatment options.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis or related conditions and a platelet count of less than 50,000/μL.

Not a fit: Patients who have previously been treated with more than one JAK2 inhibitor may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new effective option for patients with myelofibrosis who have low platelet counts.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, particularly in the use of pacritinib for myelofibrosis treatment.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Diagnosis and Inclusion Criteria

1. Primary MF, post-polycythemia vera MF, or post-essential thrombocythemia MF (as defined by Tefferi and Vardiman 2008
2. Platelet count of \<50,000/μL at Screening (Day -35 to Day -3)
3. Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System Intermediate-1, Intermediate-2, or High-Risk (Passamonti et al 2010
4. Palpable splenomegaly ≥5 cm below the lower costal margin (LCM) in the midclavicular line as assessed by physical examination
5. TSS of ≥10 on the MPN-SAF TSS 2.0 or a single symptom score of ≥5 or two symptoms of ≥3, including only the symptoms of left upper quadrant pain, bone pain, itching, or night sweats.The TSS criteria need only to be met on a single day.
6. Age ≥18 years
7. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 2
8. Peripheral blast count of \<10% throughout the Screening period prior to randomization
9. Absolute neutrophil count of ≥500/µL
10. Left ventricular cardiac ejection fraction of ≥50% by echocardiogram or multigated acquisition scan
11. Adequate liver and renal function, defined by liver transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase \[AST\]/serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\] and alanine aminotransferase \[ALT\]/serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase \[SGPT\]) ≤3 × the upper limit of normal (ULN) (AST/ALT ≤5 × ULN if transaminase elevation is related to MF), total bilirubin ≤4 x ULN (in cases where total bilirubin is elevated, direct bilirubin ≤4 × ULN, is required) and creatinine ≤2.5 mg/dL
12. Adequate coagulation defined by prothrombin time/international normalized ratio and partial thromboplastin time ≤1.5 × ULN
13. If fertile, willing to use highly effective birth control methods during the study
14. Willing to undergo and able to tolerate frequent MRI or CT scan assessments during the study
15. Able to understand and willing to complete symptom assessments using a patient-reported outcome instrument
16. Provision of signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Life expectancy \<6 months
2. Completed allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) or are eligible for and willing to complete other approved available therapy including allogeneic stem cell
3. History of splenectomy or planning to undergo splenectomy
4. Splenic irradiation within the last 6 months
5. Previously treated with pacritinib
6. Treatment with any MF-directed therapy within 14 days prior to treatment Day 1
7. Prior treatment with more than one JAK2 inhibitor
8. Prior treatment with with ruxolitinib, if BOTH of the following conditions are met:

   i. exposure to higher-dose ruxolitinib (\>10 mg daily) within 120 days prior to treatment Day 1 AND ii. total duration of treatment with higher-dose ruxolitinib (\>10 mg daily) was \>90 days, from first to last exposure (i.e., this 90-day period starts on the date of first administration of ruxolitinib at a total daily dose of \>10 mg and continues for 90 calendar days, regardless of whether higher-dose ruxolitinib is administered continuously or intermittently).
9. Prior treatment with any JAK2 inhibitor other than ruxolitinib, irrespective of dose, with a duration of \>90 days. The 90-day period starts on the date of first administration of JAK2 inhibitor therapy and continues for 90 calendar days, regardless of whether therapy is administered continuously or intermittently.
10. Treatment with an experimental therapy, including MF-directed experimental therapies within 28 days prior to treatment Day 1
11. Systemic treatment with a strong CYP 3A4 inhibitor or a strong CYP 3A4 inducer within 14 days prior to treatment Day 1. Shorter washout periods may be permitted with approval of the Medical Monitor, provided that the washout period is at least five half-lives of the drug prior to treatment Day 1
12. Significant recent bleeding history defined as National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade ≥2 within 3 months prior to treatment Day 1, unless precipitated by an inciting event (eg, surgery, trauma, or injury)
13. Systemic treatment with medications that increase the risk of bleeding, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents (except for aspirin dosages of ≤100 mg per day),and daily use of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibiting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within 14 days prior to treatment Day 1. Treatment with systemic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents within 28 days prior to treatment Day 1.
14. Systemic treatment with medications that can prolong the QT interval within 14 days prior to treatment Day 1. Shorter washout periods may be permitted with approval of the Medical Monitor, provided that the washout period is at least five half-lives of the drug prior to treatment Day 1
15. Any history of CTCAE grade ≥2 non-dysrhythmia cardiac conditions within 6 months prior to treatment Day 1. Patients with asymptomatic grade 2 non-dysrhythmia cardiovascular conditions may be considered for inclusion, with the approval of the Medical Monitor, if stable and unlikely to affect patient safety.
16. Any history of CTCAE grade ≥2 cardiac dysrhythmias within 6 months prior to treatment Day 1. Patients with non-corrected QT interval CTCAE grade 2 cardiac dysrhythmias may be considered for inclusion, with the approval of the Medical Monitor, if the dysrhythmias are stable, asymptomatic, and unlikely to affect patient safety.
17. QT corrected by the Fridericia method (QTcF) prolongation \>450 ms or other factors that increase the risk for QT interval prolongation (eg, hypokalemia \[defined as serum potassium \<3.0 mEq/L that is persistent and refractory to correction\], or history of long QT interval syndrome).
18. New York Heart Association Class II, III, or IV congestive heart failure
19. Any active gastrointestinal or metabolic condition that could interfere with absorption of oral medication
20. Active or uncontrolled inflammatory or chronic functional bowel disorder such as Crohn's Disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, or chronic constipation
21. Other malignancy within 3 years prior to treatment Day 1. The following patients may be eligible despite having had a malignancy within the prior 3 years: patients with curatively treated squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin; patients with curatively treated non-invasive cancers; patients with organ-confined prostate cancer with prostate specific antigen (PSA) \<20 ng/mL and National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk of Very Low, Low, or Favorable Intermediate; and patients with curatively treated non-metastatic prostate cancer with negative PSA.
22. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including, but not limited to, ongoing active infection, psychiatric illness, or social situation that, in the judgment of the treating physician, would limit compliance with study requirements
23. Known seropositivity for human immunodeficiency (HIV) virus. For patients in France, Czech Republic, and Italy only: testing for HIV is required during Screening.
24. Known active hepatitis A, B, or C virus infection. For patients in France, Czech Republic and Italy only: testing for hepatitis B and C is required during Screening.
25. Women who are pregnant or lactating
26. Concurrent enrollment in another interventional trial
27. Severe thrombocytopenia due to vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, or viral infection in the opinion of the investigator
28. Known hypersensitivity to pacritinib or any of the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and magnesium stearate; any contraindication to the "physician's choice" medicinal product selected by the investigator to be used as the comparator or to loperamide or equivalent antidiarrheal medication
29. Persons deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision
30. Persons subject to legal protection measures or unable to express their consent
31. Temporarily incapacitated persons

Where this trial is running

Birmingham, Alabama and 184 other locations

+135 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Primary MyelofibrosisPost-polycythemia Vera MyelofibrosisPost-essential Thrombocythemia MyelofibrosismyelofibrosispacritinibRuxolitinibBone Marrow DiseaseHematologic Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.