PTK787/ZK 222584, a small molecule tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has modest activity in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia

Angiogenesis is part of the pathophysiology of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM). PTK787/ZK 222584 (PTK/ZK) is a novel inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. Twenty-nine patients with MMM received a continuous dosing schedule of PTK/ZK doses of 500 or 750 mg twice daily (BID). Transient potentially PTK/ZK related mild nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, or anorexia occurred in 15% of patients. Dose limiting toxicities of dyspepsia, proteinurea, and/or mucositis were observed in patients treated with 750 mg BID. One (3%) and five (17%) patients achieved complete remission and clinical improvement, respectively. PTK/ZK has modest activity in patients with MMM.