Moving toward disease modification in polycythemia vera Journal Article


Authors: Bewersdorf, J. P.; How, J.; Masarova, L.; Bose, P.; Pemmaraju, N.; Mascarenhas, J.; Rampal, R. K.
Article Title: Moving toward disease modification in polycythemia vera
Abstract: Polycythemia vera (PV) belongs to the BCR-ABL1–negative myeloproliferative neoplasms and is characterized by activating mutations in JAK2 and clinically presents with erythrocytosis, variable degrees of systemic and vasomotor symptoms, and an increased risk of both thromboembolic events and progression to myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Treatment selection is based on a patient's age and a history of thrombosis in patients with low-risk PV treated with therapeutic phlebotomy and aspirin alone, whereas cytoreductive therapy with either hydroxyurea or interferon alfa (IFN-α) is added for high-risk disease. However, other disease features such as significant disease-related symptoms and splenomegaly, concurrent thrombocytosis and leukocytosis, or intolerance of phlebotomy can constitute an indication for cytoreductive therapy in patients with otherwise low-risk disease. Additionally, recent studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy (ie, reduction in phlebotomy requirements and molecular responses) of ropegylated IFN-α2b support its use for patients with low-risk PV. Additionally, emerging data suggest that early treatment is associated with higher rates of molecular responses, which might eventually enable time-limited therapy. Nonetheless, longer follow-up is needed to assess whether molecular responses associate with clinically meaningful outcome measures such as thrombosis and progression to myelofibrosis or AML. In this article, we provide an overview of the current and evolving treatment landscape of PV and outline our vision for a patient-centered, phlebotomy-free, treatment approach using time-limited, disease-modifying treatment modalities early in the disease course, which could ultimately affect the natural history of the disease. © 2023 The American Society of Hematology
Keywords: genetics; leukemia, myeloid, acute; hydroxyurea; janus kinase 2; disease course; myeloid metaplasia; primary myelofibrosis; interferon; note; alpha interferon; alpha2b interferon; thrombosis; vision; thrombocytosis; polycythemia vera; interferon-alpha; complication; acute myeloid leukemia; phlebotomy; pharmaceutical care; ruxolitinib; humans; human
Journal Title: Blood
Volume: 142
Issue: 22
ISSN: 0006-4971
Publisher: American Society of Hematology  
Date Published: 2023-11-30
Start Page: 1859
End Page: 1870
Language: English
DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021503
PUBMED: 37729609
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Note -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Raajit Kumar Rampal
    351 Rampal