Dr. Rampal on the Evolution of Prognostic Models in Essential Thrombocythemia

Raajit K. Rampal, MD, PhD, a hematologic oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the evolution of prognostic models in essential thrombocythemia (ET). 

It is now understood that the presence of mutations has prognostic significance with regard to thrombotic risk among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, says Rampal. As such, risk stratification for patients had also evolved dramatically. 

For example, patients with ET can harbor JAK2, CALR​, and MPL mutations​, Rampal explains. However, patients with CALR mutations have a lower a thrombotic risk compared with patients who harbor ​the other alterations. This knowledge has altered stratification models, as well as preferred treatment​s for patients with ET, Rampal says.

Notably, the change in prognostication can also be applied to myelofibrosis, Rampal concludes.