SOHO 2021 | The treatment of low and high-risk polycythemia vera

Francesco Passamonti, MD, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy, discusses the treatment of low and high-risk patients with polycythemia vera. Low-risk patients are usually treated with phlebotomy and aspirin; however, Prof. Passamonti reports that ropeginterferon may be effective in these patients. Studies supporting this idea require longer follow-up durations. On the other hand, ropeginterferon may be efficacious for high-risk patients with splenomegaly, thrombosis, or leucocytosis. Evidence from a clinical study with a three-year follow-up suggests that in high-risk patients, ropeginterferon reduces the prevalence of JAK-2 clone, but not the incidence of thrombosis or myelofibrosis. Furthermore, Prof. Passamonti reports that patients who fail first-line therapy may benefit from treatment with ruxolitinib, highlighting data from the RESPONSE (NCT01243944) and RESPONSE-2 (NCT02038036) trials. Additionally, Prof. Passamonti reports that earlier intervention with ruxolitinib may result in fewer thrombotic events when compared to conventional therapy. This interview took place during the ninth annual meeting of the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO 2021) congress.