Actively monitor for the clinical characteristics of advanced PV

Despite HU and PBT treatment, PV may advance in a subset of patients, resulting in ineffective disease control.1-3 Identifying patients with the clinical characteristics of advanced PV may better inform your treatment decisions.

Elevated Hct levels ≥45% plus 1 additional factor—despite treatment with HU* and PBT

*At maximum tolerated dose of HU.

Image of Hct + characteristics for advanced polycythemia vera.
Photo of Dr Claire Harrison.

For me, even 45.1% isn’t good enough and any hematocrit level above 45% needs action. I believe the time that my patient spends with hematocrit above 45% and every time they need a phlebotomy, or a dose increase in hydroxyurea, that’s the same amount of time they potentially spend at risk of a thrombotic event.

Claire Harrison, DM, FRCPath, MPN Expert

Hct=hematocrit; HU=hydroxyurea; MPN=myeloproliferative neoplasm; PBT=phlebotomy; PV=polycythemia vera; WBC=white blood cell.

References: 1. Spivak JL, Considine M, Williams DM, et al. Two clinical phenotypes in polycythemia vera. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(9):808-817. 2. Barosi G, Birgegard G, Finazzi G, et al. A unified definition of clinical resistance and intolerance to hydroxycarbamide in polycythaemia vera and primary myelofibrosis: results of a European LeukemiaNet (ELN) consensus process. Br J Haematol. 2010;148(6):961-963. 3. Parasuraman S, DiBonaventura M, Reith K, Naim A, Concialdi K, Sarlis NJ. Patterns of hydroxyurea use and clinical outcomes among patients with polycythemia vera in real-world clinical practice: a chart review. Exp Hematol Oncol. 2016;5:3. doi:10.1186/s40164-016-0031-8. 4. Marchioli R, Finazzi G, Specchia G, et al; for CYTO-PV Collaborative Group. Cardiovascular events and intensity of treatment in polycythemia vera. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(1):22-33. 5. Barbui T, Masciulli A, Marfisi MR, et al. White blood cell counts and thrombosis in polycythemia vera: a subanalysis of the CYTO-PV study. Blood. 2015;126(4):560-561. 6. Emanuel RM, Dueck AC, Geyer HL, et al. Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) symptom assessment form total symptom score: prospective international assessment of an abbreviated symptom burden scoring system among patients with MPNs. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(33):4098-4103.

Get expert insights and other support for critical PV topics

Risk of Thrombosis

Get detailed information about how Hct and WBC counts may increase thrombotic risk, including expert insights from Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD.

Symptoms

Learn about real patient experiences with PV-related symptoms and review expert opinions and data on this topic.

Resources

Browse our robust library of PV resources to support your practice.