By: Allen Wilbanks
Date: September 27, 2023
Stephen Oh, MD PhD, took the podium to present his research in a room filled with anticipation. He began with a casual tone, saying, “I just wanna level set for the audience here. I’m gonna try to keep this science-y. I can’t promise you I won’t say something stupid.” He humorously added, “And, since I have two talks, if you wanna do a gladiator-style thumbs up or thumbs down after the first one, as to whether I’m allowed to proceed, I’m okay with that.”
Dr. Oh then delved into his first topic, discussing the role of NF-kappa B (NFKB) in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). He emphasized, “Our studies have demonstrated that this NFKB hyperactivation is insensitive to ruxolitinib,” highlighting the challenges in treating MPNs.
As he presented his findings, Dr. Oh showcased data indicating that despite ruxolitinib treatment, inflammatory cytokines remained elevated. He shared, “These data demonstrate that there is evidence of NFKB activation, not just in the stem and progenitor cells but also in a pan-hematopoietic fashion.”
Transitioning to the second part of his presentation, he talked about ACVR1 and hepcidin’s role in anemia in myelofibrosis. He emphasized, “The question is, does this treatment result in anemia improvement?” as he discussed the potential of pacritinib.
Throughout his presentation, Dr. Oh’s engaging style and humorous comments kept the audience involved and eager for further discussion.