MPN Awareness Day is an annual observance held the second Thursday of September to raise awareness about myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). This is a group of rare and chronic blood cancers that affect the bone marrow. With an MPN, the bone marrow overproduces blood cells (red, white, and platelets) or scar tissue.
Major types include: Polycythemia Vera (PV) which has too many red blood cells, Essential Thrombocytopenia (ET) which has too many platelets, and Myelofibrosis (MF) which is scarring in the bone marrow.
This day is held to educate the public about MPNs and their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. It also promotes early detection and advanced research during Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
Here are some of the latest updates on MPNs:
Two new FDA approvals: Rusfertide (Mimrylo) for PV and ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (Besremi) for ET
Two new drugs were recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PV and ET.
Rusfertide (Mimrylo) is a first-in-class medication was approved on August 28, 2026, to treat erythrocytosis caused by PV. Erythrocytosis is when there are too many red blood cells. Typically, this is treated with phlebotomy, where a significant amount of blood is removed from the body. Rusfertide provides another option for patients whose red blood cell counts are not controlled by phlebotomy.
Ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (Besremi) was approved to help treat ET on August 31, 2026. This is the first new agent approved in the U.S. for the management of ET since 1997. It expands on Besremi’s initial November 2021 approval for adult patients with PV.
What Is Ruxolitinib Discontinuation Syndrome?
Ruxolitinib is one of the main medications used to treat myelofibrosis. It helps control symptoms and works to keep the disease stable. However, when a person stops taking this drug, whether due to side effects or because the treatment is no longer working, a sudden reaction can occur. This reaction is known as ruxolitinib discontinuation syndrome (RDS).
Understanding what RDS is, why it happens, and what symptoms to watch for helps patients and caregivers navigate changes in treatment safely alongside their care team.
What High White Blood Cell Counts Mean In Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare bone marrow cancer where healthy tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue. This scar tissue impairs normal blood cell production, causing the body to rely on secondary organs like the spleen or liver to make blood cells.
If you have myelofibrosis, routine blood checks are an important part of your care. During these tests, doctors monitor white blood cell levels. An elevated white blood cell count is a condition known as leukocytosis.
A recent nationwide study was done to better understand what a high white blood cell count means for people with myelofibrosis. Researchers presented the real-world data on how leukocytosis affects long-term health outcomes at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.
The Link Between Pre-Treatment Fatigue and Treatment Side Effects
Before starting cancer treatment, many patients already feel significantly tired. While this fatigue is common, it is far from harmless. A recent large-scale study shows that simply feeling fatigued before treatment begins acts as a major warning sign, strongly predicting that a patient is more likely to experience severe side effects once treatment starts.
Understanding this link is changing how doctors evaluate patients before prescribing treatment, ensuring that fatigue is treated as a critical medical symptom rather than just a routine complaint.
Understanding Phlebotomies: A Guide For People With Polycythemia Vera
Therapeutic phlebotomy is a procedure to help treat polycythemia vera. During a phlebotomy, a precise amount of blood is removed from the body. This helps lower red blood cell concentration, reduces blood thickness, and lowers the risk of dangerous clots. Knowing what happens during a phlebotomy, why it is prescribed, and any alternative options can help you feel more comfortable and confident during your clinic visits.
The Benefits Of Exercise For Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
The MPN-FIT trial followed 55 patients. One group started an exercise program immediately. The other “waitlist” group maintained their usual activity. The exercise group received a personalized 12-week plan designed by a kinesiologist. A kinesiologist is a health professional who uses knowledge in anatomy and movement to help people improve physical health and rehabilitation. The routine was manageable and took about 30 minutes to complete, two to three times per week.
Conclusion
MPN Awareness Day is an important opportunity to increase understanding of these rare and complex blood cancers. It also highlights the progress being made in research and the patient treatment and care options. As research continues to advance, greater awareness can help patients and caregivers feel more informed.
This provides patients better information to make decisions alongside their care team. MPN Awareness Day is held during Blood Cancer Awareness month to help to improve care, quality of life, and outcomes for those living with these diseases.
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