Chronic inflammation is a key hallmark of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and is responsible for many of the symptoms that affect sufferers, acting as a driver for disease progression. Therefore, it is crucial to fully understand the causes and effects of chronic inflammation in this group, in order to reduce its impact upon patients and improve outcomes. Speaking from the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Advances Day 2017 in London, UK, Steffen Koschmieder, PhD, MD, of Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, discusses recent findings about the role of inflammation in MPNs, including the spreading of the malignant JAK2 mutation among cell lineages. Dr Koschmieder also highlights data to look forward to at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2017 congress on the effect that driver mutations, such as CALR, have upon the efficacy of treatments.
The cause and effect of inflammation in MPNs
