Dr Amanam on the Evolution of Myelofibrosis Management

Idoroenyi Amanam, MD, assistant professor, Division of Leukemia, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, discusses potential advancements in the management of myelofibrosis to come in the next few years and highlights the use of stem cell transplant in this disease.

In the coming years, advancements in the management of myelofibrosis are likely to focus on combination therapies, particularly those involving a JAK inhibitor paired with a drug that targets proliferative signaling, Amanam begins. These combinations are of great interest within the field, and many oncologists are eagerly awaiting updates from key conferences, he highlights. Beyond combination therapies, the role of cellular therapy is gaining significant attention, according to Amanam. Cellular therapy, long used in managing myelofibrosis through bone marrow and allogeneic transplants, is now being explored in more innovative ways, Amanam reports. These approaches may lead to more precise targeting of the disease, with a focus on identifying new proliferative signaling pathways, understanding the microenvironment, and exploring novel stem cell-based treatments, he notes.

Stem cell transplants are expected to remain a central therapeutic option for patients with myelofibrosis, but with some advancements, Amanam continues. There is now a better understanding of where stem cell transplants work most effectively in managing myelofibrosis, and future research efforts will focus on refining the selection of patients who may benefit from early transplantation, he emphasizes. This decision-making process, however, is becoming more complex as newer therapies emerge, he notes.

The field is currently grappling with the challenge of determining when to proceed with stem cell transplantation vsopting for a novel treatment, Amanam expands. These decisions are not yet definitive, and ongoing research is necessary to guide clinical practice in this regard, he states. Despite these challenges, there is great excitement about the future of myelofibrosis management as new therapeutic avenues are explored and treatment strategies continue to evolve, offering hope for improved outcomes and patient care in the years to come, Amanam concludes.