Dr Andrew Kuykendall speaks to ecancer about results from Part 1b of the VERIFY study that was presented at ASH 2025. This study evaluated rusfertide for the treatment of polycythemia vera.

Dr Kuykendall explains that rusfertide provided durable control of haematocrit levels and a significant reduction in the need for phlebotomies (PHLs) through week 52, with 61.9% of patients who continued rusfertide maintaining absence of PHL eligibility.

Patients who crossed over from placebo to rusfertide showed similar benefits, with 78% achieving absence of PHL eligibility in Part 1b. The safety profile was consistent with prior observations, with the most common adverse events being injection site reactions, anaemia, and fatigue.

He reports that rusfertide remains an effective option for sustained disease control in polycythemia vera.