Suzanne’s Story

Suzanne: I’m Suzanne.

Suzanne: So I’m an outdoorsy kind of person.

Suzanne: I like to go hiking. I like to go fishing… I like to ride my quad ATVs out in the desert.

Suzanne: My journey started off in October 2016…

Onscreen text: Suzanne was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Suzanne: ... when I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Suzanne: After that it was a whirlwind. They started chemo the next day… they wanted to try and get me into remission as soon as possible.

Suzanne’s mom: When she was in the hospital, it was pretty bad because she was getting everything depleted from her body. She would cry, I would cry, and we’d pray. And that’s how we got through it.

Suzanne: They felt that it would be a better situation if I were to go ahead and have the stem cell transplant.

Suzanne: So, I thought, "Okay, well… I'll get the stem cell transplant."

Onscreen text and narrator: Suzanne had an allogeneic stem cell transplant, a procedure in which a patient’s cells are replaced with donor cells.

Suzanne: … from there you just wait. You have nausea, you have other things and issues that come up from the stem cell transplant because your body, your host, is fighting.

Suzanne: Three weeks later to four weeks, I felt something a little bit off.

Suzanne: ... a little bit more heat coming from me and I started to have a fever… I was told to go back into the emergency room.

Onscreen text: Suzanne’s inflammation and other skin symptoms were signs of acute graft-versus-host disease of the skin.

Suzanne: I woke up the next morning and I had skin graft-versus-host completely throughout my whole body… and it was just red dots, a rash… my head was completely expanded.

Onscreen text: Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication that may affect people who have had a stem cell transplant using cells from a donor.

Suzanne: They diagnosed it as moderate to severe graft-versus-host disease for the skin.

Onscreen text: Acute GVHD mainly affects

• The skin
• The liver
• The gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, and colon)

Patients may experience symptoms or other health problems in any of these organs because of acute GVHD.

Suzanne: When they said that, it was like another rug pulling out from underneath me.

Suzanne: They told me put on cream. They tried the prednisone, the steroids; it was not reacting fast enough. My skin was burning.

Suzanne: I couldn't shower… I couldn't get too hot. I couldn't get too cold.

Onscreen text: Suzanne’s inflammation and other skin symptoms were signs of acute graft-versus-host disease of the skin.

Suzanne: Any type of sensation of heat, anything in my mouth that was hot, I really had a hard time, because it would just swell up my face and it would exacerbate the condition.

Suzanne: … and then I was approached to do a clinical trial.

Onscreen text: In a clinical trial, it’s unknown if a drug will work or what the side effects may be.

Narrator: When patients participate in a clinical trial, it’s unknown if a drug will work or what the side effects may be.

Onscreen text: As a clinical trial participant, Suzanne received JAKAFI^® (ruxolitinib) at no cost from Incyte Corporation.

Suzanne: … I heard the name JAKAFI^®… and I said, “OK, let’s go ahead and try.”

Onscreen text and Narrator: JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR (ruxolitinib) is a prescription medication used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who have taken corticosteroids and they did not work well enough.

Onscreen text: JAKAFI is the first prescription medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of these patients.

Suzanne: JAKAFI worked for me… My body responded very well.

Onscreen text and narrator: JAKAFI is not for everyone. Only your Healthcare Professional can decide if JAKAFI is right for you. Your individual results may vary.

JAKAFI^® or JAKAFI XR™ can cause serious side effects, including: 

Low blood counts: JAKAFI^® or JAKAFI XR™ (ruxolitinib) may cause low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts. If you develop bleeding, stop taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood counts before you start and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as

• unusual bleeding
• bruising
• tiredness
• shortness of breath
• a fever

The most common side effects of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR include: 

• for acute GVHD – low platelet counts, low red or white blood cell counts, infections, and swelling

These are not all the possible side effects. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Suzanne: I think it was 10 days after that I was released from the hospital…

Suzanne: … and came home and I started to recover.

Suzanne: I started really thinking about a new normal…

Suzanne: … and I try to limit myself from being at high-risk situations.

Suzanne’s dad: Because of the germs spreading… I haven’t hugged Suzanne in over two years, ever since she got sick. I haven’t hugged her and, and it’s hard.

Suzanne: He is very patient with me, my husband, and my parents, and we just communicate very well to what I need and exactly what it is that I feel and the relief I have that they’re there.

Suzanne: You’re fearful of everything that comes your way. That’s not a way to live.

Suzanne: Giving up wasn’t an option… it’s not giving up, you don’t give in…you just, you just don’t let it win.

Suzanne: It has been a tremendous help in my recovery.

Onscreen text: This is Suzanne’s experience with JAKAFI. Your experience may be different.

Suzanne: … I think my skin looks pretty good. So…

Suzanne: It's just been an amazing journey to see myself from 5 to 6 months ago or even a year ago to really look at it now, to see how much I've incorporated into my life again.

Suzanne: The other day I told my husband, I said, "You know, my goal is to get on that roller coaster again, take a trip to Magic Mountain.…" I'm not quite there yet, but I, I figure, you know, I’m doing it slowly but surely.

Onscreen text: For more information about JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, visit Jakafi.com. The efficacy and safety of JAKAFI XR is based on clinical trials using JAKAFI.

Onscreen text and narrator: Important Safety Information

What is JAKAFI^® or JAKAFI XR™?

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR (ruxolitinib) is a prescription medication used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who have taken corticosteroids and they did not work well enough.

Important Safety Information

JAKAFI^® or JAKAFI XR™ can cause serious side effects, including:

Low blood counts: JAKAFI^® or JAKAFI XR™ (ruxolitinib) may cause low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts. If you develop bleeding, stop taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood counts before you start and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as

• unusual bleeding
• bruising
• tiredness
• shortness of breath
• a fever

Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection:

• chills
• nausea
• vomiting
• aches
• weakness
• fever
• painful skin rash or blisters

Worsening of symptoms after interrupting or stopping treatment. Signs and symptoms of myelofibrosis may worsen after you stop treatment. 
Do not interrupt or stop treatment without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following after stopping treatment:

• fever
• trouble breathing
• weakness
• night sweats
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• pain in left upper stomach area or left shoulder

Cancer: Some people have had certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions during treatment.

Increases in cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels about every 8 to 12 weeks after you start taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and as needed.

Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people who have cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers while using another JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid arthritis:
Get emergency help right away if you get any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, including:

• discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
• severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
• pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• breaking out in a cold sweat
• nausea or vomiting
• feeling lightheaded
• weakness in one part or on one side of your body
• slurred speech

Increased risk of blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened in people taking another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and may be life-threatening.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, including:

• swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs
• sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Possible increased risk of new (secondary) cancers: People who take another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of new (secondary) cancers, including lymphoma and other cancers. People who smoke or who smoked in the past have an added risk of new cancers.

The most common side effects of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR include:

• for acute GVHD – low platelet counts, low red or white blood cell counts, infections, and swelling

These are not all the possible side effects. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Before taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, tell your healthcare provider about:

• all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking
• your medical conditions, including if you
  • have or had low white or red blood cell counts
  • have an infection
  • have or had tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone who has TB
  • had shingles (herpes zoster)
  • have or had hepatitis B
  • have a high level of fat in your blood (high blood cholesterol or triglycerides)
  • have or have had a blood clot, heart attack, other heart problems, or stroke
  • are a current or past smoker
  • had cancer
  • have or had liver or kidney problems or are on dialysis. If you are on dialysis, JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR should be taken after your dialysis
  • have any other medical condition

Women should not take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR while pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and for 2 weeks after the final dose. 
How should I take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR?

• Take exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
• Do not change your dose or stop taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop treatment, symptoms of your condition may return.
• If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your regular time. Do NOT take 2 doses at the same time.
• You may have regular blood tests during your treatment. Based on the results, your healthcare provider may change your dose or stop JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR.
• IF YOU ARE PRESCRIBED JAKAFI:
  • Take JAKAFI 2 times a day or exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, with or without food.
  • JAKAFI may also be given through certain nasogastric tubes.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you cannot take JAKAFI by mouth. Your healthcare provider will decide if you can take JAKAFI through a nasogastric tube. Ask your healthcare provider to give you specific instructions on how to properly take JAKAFI through a nasogastric tube.
• IF YOU ARE PRESCRIBED JAKAFI XR:
  • Take JAKAFI XR 1 time a day with or without food.
  • Swallow JAKAFI XR whole. Do not split, crush, or chew.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks associated with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR at Jakafi.com.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report side effects to Incyte Medical Information at 1-855-463-3463.

Onscreen text: Already taking JAKAFI? IncyteCARES is a patient support program for people taking JAKAFI that offers financial assistance options and other patient resources for eligible patients.

VISIT IncyteCARES* TO LEARN MORE
*IncyteCARES: Connecting to Access, Reimbursement, Education and Support

Onscreen text: The video is sponsored and brought to you by Incyte.
JAKAFI and the JAKAFI logo are registered trademarks of Incyte. 
JAKAFI XR and the JAKAFI XR logo are trademarks of Incyte. 
Incyte and the Incyte logo are registered trademarks of Incyte.
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