Dr. Mesa Discusses Emerging Treatments for MPNs

Ruben Mesa, MD, director, The Mays Cancer Center, the newly named center of UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses emerging treatment for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

There are increasing data with interferons in MPNs, says Mesa. To date, 2 phase III studies have shown activity and efficacy similar to hydroxyurea through 1 year of therapy. A long formulation of interferon showed superiority to hydroxyurea at the 2-year timeframe in terms of complete hematologic response and molecular response. Mesa says that this may lead to a formal indication for interferon. It is currently part of the NCCN guidelines in all 3 MPNs in various phases.

Several agents are being investigated for the treatment of anemia in patients with myelofibrosis, including luspatercept. Luspatercept is an analog of sotatercept, which has shown activity either with or without ruxolitinib (Jakafi) in patients with myelofibrosis. There are other targeted therapies that are in the works for the treatment of MPNs, says Mesa.