Infectious complications in myeloproliferative neoplasms in targeted therapy era

Abstract

Introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) to therapy of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) improved prognosis in this group of patients. Progress was especially noted in the therapy of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia negative MPN, especially myelofibrosis and polycythaemia vera. Specific TKI (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib in a case of chronic myeloid leukemia and ruxolitinib in a case of Philadelphia negative MPN) inhibits BCR-ABL thyrosine kinase and Janus kinase type 1 and 2, respectively. Their usage is related with non-hematologic and hematologic side effects occurrence. Moreover, TKI administration is also leading to the impairment of immune system function, which may predispose to infectious complication. Their increased frequency has been recently noted in currently performed clinical trials.