Thromboses and hemorrhages are common in MPN patients with high JAK2V617F allele burden

In this study we searched, a relation between thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications and JAK2V617F allele burden level in MPN patients. We evaluated 253 consecutive MPN [121 essential thrombocythemia (ET), 124 polycythemia vera (PV), and 8 primary myelofibrosis (PMF)] patients in whom the JAK2V617F allele burden was available, all studied and followed (median 8.8  years) in our department. Patients were stratified accordingly to their JAK2V617F allele burden, into four quartiles (1st<25%, 2nd 26 –50%, 3rd 51–75%, and 4th>75%). Significantly higher incidence of thromboses (p = 0.001) and hemorrhages (p <  0.001) during follow-up has been observed in higher quartiles when compared to lower ones. Thrombosis- and hemorrhage-free survivals were poorer in patients belonging to the highest quartile. Our data suggest that MPN patients with JAK2V617F allele burden higher than 75% have to be considered as h igh risk patients, being prone to develop thrombo-hemorrhagic complications during the disease course.
Source: Annals of Hematology - Category: Hematology Source Type: research