MPNs

A novel pegylated formulation of interferon alfa-2b achieved a significantly higher rate of complete hematologic response compared with hydroxyurea (Hydrea) in patients with polycythemia vera, according to 2-year findings from the follow-up phase III CONTI-PV randomized trial.

The investigational activin receptor IIA ligand trap sotatercept safely increases hemoglobin levels in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN)-associated myelofibrosis, both when used alone and in combination with ruxolitinib (Jakafi).

The investigational Nutlin family antagonist idasanutlin demonstrated significant activity and was well tolerated after multiple cycles of exposure in patients with refractory polycythemia vera.<br /> &nbsp;

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, Director of the UT Health San Antonio Cancer Center, discusses &nbsp;4-year follow-up results from the phase III RESPONSE trial, which investigated ruxolitinib (Jafaki) with best available therapy for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV) during the 2017 ASH Annual Meeting.

John Mascarenhas, MD, associate professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discusses the role of <em>JAK2</em> inhibition in patients with polycythemia vera (PV).

Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, recently discussed treatment considerations and decisions in the cases of 2 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms.&nbsp;Verstovsek,&nbsp;professor of medicine, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discussed the case scenarios during a&nbsp;<em>Targeted Oncology</em>&nbsp;live case-based peer perspectives dinner.

Advancements made in the field of molecular genetics for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms may be increasingly incorporated into treatment decisions, according to a presentation by Ann Mullally, MD, during the 2017 SOHO Annual Meeting.

The treatment of myelofibrosis has changed significantly in the past few years, largely due to the approval of ruxolitinib (Jakafi). Although it provides durable improvements, the JAK inhibitor may be even more effective in combination&mdash;as inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling has not shown to be curative.

Hydroxyurea Resistant Polycythemia Vera

Underlying Treatment of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

The NCCN published its first set of guidelines for myeloproliferative neoplasms in October 2016 and is already looking to update and expand these guidelines to match the need for direction in diagnosing and treating patients with MPNs.

Uncontrolled Polycythemia Vera

Harry P. Erba, MD, PhD, recently shared treatment considerations he would make when treating patients with polycythemia vera (PV) based on 3 case scenarios.

John Mascarenhas, MD, associate professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, discusses the results from the interim analysis of the MPD-RC 112 study, which compared frontline pegylated interferon-alpha-2a (Pegasys) with hydroxyurea in the treatment of patients with high-risk polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET).

John Mascarenhas, MD, associate professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, discusses studies investigating pacritinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis.

Worldwide clinical experience with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis has yielded safety and efficacy data similar to results of a pivotal randomized trial.

Treating patients with intermediate/high-risk myelofibrosis with the Janus kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib long-term demonstrated improved survival, pooled data from 2 randomized trials showed.