Dr. Ruben Mesa on Advancements in Polycythemia Vera

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, discusses advancements in polycythemia vera (PV).

Much has evolved recently in PV, says Mesa. It has been definitively identified that it is a malignancy and that is mutation-driven with changes in the JAK pathway.

Diagnostic criteria for PV has also become more rigorous, says Mesa. The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to issue revised criteria in 2016, and among the changes, will be a lower hemoglobin threshold for unexplained erythrocytosis.

Therapeutic management of PV is also evolving. Ruxolitinib has been approved as a second-line treatment for PV who have had an inadequate response to hydroxyurea.

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