Chronic Leg Ulceration Associated with Polycythemia Vera Responding to Ruxolitinib (Jakafi®)

We present the case of a 63-year-old white male with bilateral chronic-leg ulcers due to polycythemia vera and hydroxyurea therapy who demonstrated dramatic healing of his wounds in response to ruxolitinib (Jakafi (R), Novartis), a novel Janus kinase-1 and -2 inhibitor. This patient's wound had previously been refractory to multiple surgical interventions and immunosuppression. After the initiation of ruxolitinib, the patient underwent successful split-thickness skin grafting, with resultant healing of his wounds. He was stable without prednisone and other immunosuppressant therapy and had healed at 6 months. Ruxolitinib therapy could represent a novel option for patients who develop persistent inflammatory wounds in the setting of polycythemia vera and hydroxyurea therapy. (C) 2013 by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. All rights reserved.