A Conversation with an MPN Specialist: Polycythemia Vera

MPN Advocacy & Education International hosted a webinar with Dr. Prithviraj Bose, MD Anderson Cancer Center, to discuss and answer questions regarding polycythemia vera (PV). Please note: due to technical issues during the webinar, there may be a lag in the audio or video. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 A Conversation with an MPN Specialist: Polycythemia Vera (PV) 07:36 Will rusfertide be in combination with any other therapies? 08:32 Is hydroxyurea still being used as a first-line therapy for your PV patients? 12:17 How long does it take Jakafi to become effective? How long does it take interferon to become effective? 16:37 Do you prescribe hydroxyurea to younger MPN patients? Should they be taking it? 18:12 Does having PV affect your thyroid? 19:02 Jakafi has reduced my allele burden from 65% to 25%, but still dealing with major fatigue. What can be done about this? 21:14 Can patients be on BESREMi and Hydrea? How long does the full transition take? 22:46 How can I control my white blood cells and platelets? 24:12 Is it common to add aspirin to your PV patients' regimens? 25:03 I have PV and am JAK2+, diagnosed in 2022, and after two major DVTs, treated with Eliquis, phlebotomy, and my hematologist is saying I am progressing to myelofibrosis. How does one know if they are progressing? 27:36 Are there symptoms that may indicate progression, especially if I am asymptomatic? 29:17 How often should I have a bone marrow biopsy? 30:46 What would you recommend to women with PV who want to have a family and become pregnant? 32:28 Why do PV patients have night sweats and itching? What is causing this, and what can I do about it? 33:42 What is the frequency someone should get a phlebotomy? Are there any side effects? 34:33 Is hydroxyurea better than phlebotomy to control platelets, iron, and white cells? 35:52 What is the estimated percentage of patients who convert from ET to PV? 36:34 How can you get your lab to assess your mutations? 37:53 Is there any correlation between hydroxyurea and hair loss in women over the age of 60? 38:11 How can patients address inflammation? Are there any studies that have shown hope? 40:30 Sugar seems to be a major driver in the cancer community...what would you recommend to MPN patients for sugar consumption? 42:18 Are migraines related to/are a symptom of MPNs? 45:25 Can you share with MPN patients a message of hope and what direction you see the MPN research going?