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In Case You Missed it: What’s New in MPN Research
Every year during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, World MPN Day is on September 12th. On World MPN Day, along with patients, caregivers, family members, advocates, and healthcare professionals, HealthTree Foundation raises awareness about myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).
Throughout the year, HealthTree News posts summaries of the latest MPN research. With the fast pace of cancer research, you may have missed some MPN updates, such as new treatments and improvements in supportive care. Learn more about what HealthTree News has shared about MPN research this year.
What are MPNs?
MPNs are a type of blood cancer that happens when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal red or white blood cells, or platelets. It is a chronic cancer that usually grows slowly.
Around 50,000 people in the United States currently live with an MPN. The most common types of MPN in adults are polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. MPN most often affects adults age 65 and older, though cases can occur in those as young as 30.
Research highlights to commemorate World MPN Day
Read our summary of the latest and most impactful MPN news to stay on top of treatment advances and important information that people with MPNs and their caregivers need to know.
Here’s what you might have missed on HealthTree News:
How Inflammation Impacts MPN Patients and What You Can Do About It
Inflammation happens when the immune system reacts to injury or harmful substances. In MPNs, inflammation persists for long periods of time. Chronic inflammation can make it easier for abnormal cells to develop.
People with an MPN can often experience symptoms associated with chronic inflammation, such as fatigue, night sweats, itching, bone pain, and trouble concentrating.
Current therapies for MPNs, such as ruxolitinib (Jakafi, Incyte), a JAK1/2 inhibitor, have been reported to reduce inflammatory cytokine levels and improve symptoms. An early study suggests that combining ruxolitinib with a new treatment called CK0804 may decrease inflammation and improve patients’ outcomes. In this article we also mention lifestyle changes that can contribute to reducing inflammation, such as healthy eating and excercise. Click here to read the full article.
What are the Heart Risks in MPN?
People with MPN, especially myelofibrosis, face more than blood-related challenges; heart problems like blood clots, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension are common and serious risks.
Dr. Orly Leiva, an advanced heart failure fellow at the University of Chicago, shared research showing that heart complications are the second leading cause of death in myelofibrosis. The good news? Screening, cardiology care, and treatments like ruxolitinib may reduce these risks. Click here to learn how paying attention to symptoms, managing traditional heart risk factors, and working with a cardiologist can improve your heart health and quality of life with MPNs.
Improving MPN Care Through Better Communication
To better support MPN patients, their care teams should maintain a clear and compassionate communication. This can directly impact quality of life, treatment decisions, and symptom management.
The Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP) initiative is working to close those gaps by training healthcare professionals in shared decision-making, cultural humility, and patient-centered conversations. Early results show providers feel more confident supporting patients, and resources like roundtables and videos are already helping thousands. This means more accessible doctors, better understanding of treatment options, and care that aligns with personal goals. Read the full article here.
New Treatment Option for Pre-Fibrotic and Low-Risk Myelofibrosis
A current study suggests that ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Besremi) may be a safe and effective treatment for people with early-stage or low-risk myelofibrosis who need to lower high blood counts.
In the results presented, most patients could obtain normal levels of hemoglobin and white blood cell counts within a year, nearly half saw their spleen size shrink, and over 40% reported their symptoms were cut in half. The treatment also reduced genetic mutation levels tied to disease activity and was generally well tolerated, with mostly mild side effects. These results point to ropeginterferon alfa-2b as a promising option for individuals with pre-fibrotic or low-risk MF who currently lack a standard treatment approach.
Rusfertide for Polycythemia Vera (PV)
Findings from the VERIFY trial showed that PV patients who used rusfertide needed fewer phlebotomies and kept their blood levels better controlled. Patients also reported relief from symptoms such as night sweats, itching, abdominal discomfort, and bone pain. These results suggest that rusfertide could become an add-on treatment to existing therapies like hydroxyurea, interferon, or ruxolitinib.
Stay tuned for more MPN updates
Visit HealthTree news site to read more articles on MPN, from patient stories to treatment advances, browse the different categories and stay informed.
Every year during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, World MPN Day is on September 12th. On World MPN Day, along with patients, caregivers, family members, advocates, and healthcare professionals, HealthTree Foundation raises awareness about myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).
Throughout the year, HealthTree News posts summaries of the latest MPN research. With the fast pace of cancer research, you may have missed some MPN updates, such as new treatments and improvements in supportive care. Learn more about what HealthTree News has shared about MPN research this year.
What are MPNs?
MPNs are a type of blood cancer that happens when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal red or white blood cells, or platelets. It is a chronic cancer that usually grows slowly.
Around 50,000 people in the United States currently live with an MPN. The most common types of MPN in adults are polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. MPN most often affects adults age 65 and older, though cases can occur in those as young as 30.
Research highlights to commemorate World MPN Day
Read our summary of the latest and most impactful MPN news to stay on top of treatment advances and important information that people with MPNs and their caregivers need to know.
Here’s what you might have missed on HealthTree News:
How Inflammation Impacts MPN Patients and What You Can Do About It
Inflammation happens when the immune system reacts to injury or harmful substances. In MPNs, inflammation persists for long periods of time. Chronic inflammation can make it easier for abnormal cells to develop.
People with an MPN can often experience symptoms associated with chronic inflammation, such as fatigue, night sweats, itching, bone pain, and trouble concentrating.
Current therapies for MPNs, such as ruxolitinib (Jakafi, Incyte), a JAK1/2 inhibitor, have been reported to reduce inflammatory cytokine levels and improve symptoms. An early study suggests that combining ruxolitinib with a new treatment called CK0804 may decrease inflammation and improve patients’ outcomes. In this article we also mention lifestyle changes that can contribute to reducing inflammation, such as healthy eating and excercise. Click here to read the full article.
What are the Heart Risks in MPN?
People with MPN, especially myelofibrosis, face more than blood-related challenges; heart problems like blood clots, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension are common and serious risks.
Dr. Orly Leiva, an advanced heart failure fellow at the University of Chicago, shared research showing that heart complications are the second leading cause of death in myelofibrosis. The good news? Screening, cardiology care, and treatments like ruxolitinib may reduce these risks. Click here to learn how paying attention to symptoms, managing traditional heart risk factors, and working with a cardiologist can improve your heart health and quality of life with MPNs.
Improving MPN Care Through Better Communication
To better support MPN patients, their care teams should maintain a clear and compassionate communication. This can directly impact quality of life, treatment decisions, and symptom management.
The Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP) initiative is working to close those gaps by training healthcare professionals in shared decision-making, cultural humility, and patient-centered conversations. Early results show providers feel more confident supporting patients, and resources like roundtables and videos are already helping thousands. This means more accessible doctors, better understanding of treatment options, and care that aligns with personal goals. Read the full article here.
New Treatment Option for Pre-Fibrotic and Low-Risk Myelofibrosis
A current study suggests that ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Besremi) may be a safe and effective treatment for people with early-stage or low-risk myelofibrosis who need to lower high blood counts.
In the results presented, most patients could obtain normal levels of hemoglobin and white blood cell counts within a year, nearly half saw their spleen size shrink, and over 40% reported their symptoms were cut in half. The treatment also reduced genetic mutation levels tied to disease activity and was generally well tolerated, with mostly mild side effects. These results point to ropeginterferon alfa-2b as a promising option for individuals with pre-fibrotic or low-risk MF who currently lack a standard treatment approach.
Rusfertide for Polycythemia Vera (PV)
Findings from the VERIFY trial showed that PV patients who used rusfertide needed fewer phlebotomies and kept their blood levels better controlled. Patients also reported relief from symptoms such as night sweats, itching, abdominal discomfort, and bone pain. These results suggest that rusfertide could become an add-on treatment to existing therapies like hydroxyurea, interferon, or ruxolitinib.
Stay tuned for more MPN updates
Visit HealthTree news site to read more articles on MPN, from patient stories to treatment advances, browse the different categories and stay informed.
about the author
Jimena Vicencio
Jimena is an International Medical Graduate and a member of the HealthTree Writing team. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism, she combines her medical background with a storyteller’s heart to make complex healthcare topics accessible to everyone. Driven by a deep belief that understanding health is a universal right, she is committed to translating scientific and medical knowledge into clear, compassionate language that empowers individuals to take control of their well-being.
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