How Inflammation Impacts MPNs and What You Can Do About It

How does inflammation impact people living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)?

Living with an MPN involves more than just managing blood counts. Inflammation plays a critical role in how these blood cancers start, progress, and impact daily life. This article will explain how chronic inflammation affects people with MPNs, why reducing inflammation matters, and how both treatments and lifestyle changes may help improve symptoms and overall health.

Chronic inflammation and how it begins in MPNs

Inflammation happens when the immune system reacts to injury or harmful substances. In MPNs, however, inflammation becomes chronic, or long-lasting. This results from changes in immune signaling pathways. The abnormal blood cells, along with normal immune cells, produce too many inflammatory substances called cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-6.

Chronic inflammation can make it easier for abnormal cells to develop. For people with MPNs, this means the mutated cells grow more easily while healthy cells are suppressed. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to the blood cancer’s progression and worsening symptoms. 

Inflammation drives many MPN symptoms

People with MPNs can often experience fatigue, night sweats, itching, bone pain, and trouble concentrating. Studies link these symptoms to high levels of inflammatory cytokines. For example, IL-6 is known to contribute to fatigue and depression, while TNF-α has been connected to poor memory and weight loss.

An enlarged spleen is also a common symptom and is often linked to cytokine-driven inflammation. This can cause early fullness, abdominal discomfort, and further increase fatigue.

Understanding this connection between inflammation and symptoms is important because it helps explain why some treatments aim to reduce inflammation alongside controlling blood counts.

Targeting inflammation with therapy

Current therapies for MPNs, such as ruxolitinib (Jakafi, Incyte), a JAK1/2 inhibitor, have been reported to reduce inflammatory cytokine levels and improve symptoms. However, research shows that these medicines may not fully normalize inflammation. Some patients continue to experience symptoms despite treatment.

Scientists are studying new ways to manage other pathways involved in inflammation. An early study suggests that combining ruxolitinib with a new treatment called CK0804 may decrease inflammation and improve patients’ outcomes.

Lifestyle changes that may help reduce inflammation

Along with medicines, non-medication approaches show promise. Mild to moderate exercise, for example, can help reduce inflammation, fatigue, and improve quality of life. 

Diet also plays a role. Diets high in processed foods may worsen symptoms, while the Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil, has been linked to lower inflammation.

In the NUTRIENT trial, people with MPNs followed a Mediterranean diet for 10 weeks. Many patients saw a decrease in their MPN symptoms. The investigators stated that more time was needed to help patients adapt to the new eating style and detect changes in inflammation. 

Additional ways to reduce inflammation include getting adequate sleep, reducing psychological stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating anti-inflammatory foods. Click here to read more.

Understanding environmental and other risk factors

Environmental factors play a role in the development and symptoms of MPNs. For example, smoking increases the risk of MPNs and worsens symptoms by triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which damage blood-forming cells.

Research also highlights the gut microbiome, the ecosystem of microbes in the digestive tract, as a possible contributor. An imbalance in this microenvironment may increase inflammation and the progression of MPNs. 

Additionally, abnormal blood cell growth becomes more common with age and can raise inflammatory cytokine levels, contributing to the development of MPNs.

Empowering individuals with MPNs through informed choices

Inflammation is a key part of how MPNs develop, progress, and symptoms are experienced. Although therapies like ruxolitinib help reduce inflammation, they may not fully address it. Non-medication strategies such as exercise and healthy dietary changes show promise in reducing symptom burden and supporting overall well-being. 

Discover More Integrative Oncology Strategies for People with MPNs

In summary:

• Chronic inflammation in MPNs is driven by abnormal immune signaling and impacts symptoms.
• Lifestyle changes, such as moderate exercise and an anti-inflammatory diet, may decrease inflammation to reduce MPN symptoms. 
• Ongoing research is exploring new therapies and interventions aimed at targeting inflammation more effectively for individuals with MPNs. 

We need your help! You can easily contribute to MPN research.

If you are living with a myeloproliferative neoplasm, we need your help improving patient outcomes for all by taking simple, anonymous surveys that contribute to real-world research in HealthTree Cure Hub®. Click the buttons below to get started or see the current impact of this research! 

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Sources: 

• Key Role of Inflammation in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Instigator of Disease Initiation, Progression, and Symptoms
• The NUTRIENT Trial (NUTRitional Intervention among myEloproliferative Neoplasms): Results from a Randomized Phase I Pilot Study for Feasibility and Adherence