Current Issues of Targeted Therapy of Polycythemia Vera

Abstract

The issues of therapy response criteria, first-line hydroxy-carbamide intolerance and resistance to it as well as early changes in treatment strategy remain controversial and debatable in the management of polycythemia vera patients. The review outlines the results of literature data analysis related to the estimation of first-line therapy efficacy, it considers the spectrum and frequency of adverse events of hydroxycarbamide treatment, and focuses on the experience of using ruxolitinib, JAK2 inhibitor. The review provides results, including the long-term ones, of the comparative analysis of ruxolitinib use and the best available therapy of polycythemia vera patients with hydroxycarbamide resistance. The present review uses the materials of expert panel with the participation of Prof. Giuseppe A. Palumbo (University of Catania, Sicily, Italy) held on June 7, 2020.