Dr. Verstovsek on the Different Phases of MPNs

Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, the United Energy Resources, Inc. Professor of Medicine; director of the Hanns A. Pielenz Clinical Research Center for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms; and chief of the Section for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in the Department of Leukemia of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the different phases of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

MPNs, such as myelofibrosis, are defined by the myeloid blasts found in the peripheral blood or bone marrow.

Notably, patients will not transition from chronic phase (<10% blasts) to blast phase (>20% blasts) overnight. Rather, this is a gradual process, says Verstovsek. During the accelerated phase, blasts range from 10% to 19%.

For patients in chronic phase, survival ranges from 5 to 7 years. In comparison, patients in accelerated phase and blast phase have survivals of 18 months and 6 months, respectively

Per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, it’s of critical importance to intervene when blasts reach 10%, Verstovsek concludes.