Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (Ph negative) – Polycythaemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythaemia; when hydroxycarbamide treatment proves ineffective

Abstract

Polycythaemia Vera (PV) and Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET) are classical Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms BCR-ABL(-). Despite their low incidence rates, survival of PV and ET patients is high, thereby making up a significant proportion of those cared for at the haematology clinic. Most patients requiring cytoreductive therapy receive hydroxycarbamide (HU) as the drug of choice, however around 20% prove to be either HU resistant or intolerant. In such cases, this article discusses the therapeutic options available for their treatment.