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Biomarker analysis in polycythemia vera under interferon-alpha treatment: clonality, EEC, PRV-1, and JAK2 V617F

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Abstract

Three consecutive polycythemia vera (PV) patients were analyzed before and during pegylated-interferon (rIFNα) treatment for the following markers: (1) granulocyte and CD34+ cell clonality, (2) Jak2V617F expression, (3) PRV-1 mRNA overexpression, and (4) Epo-independent colony (EEC) growth. Before rIFNα therapy, all patients displayed clonal hematopoiesis, 100% Jak2V617F expression as well as PRV-1 overexpression, and EEC growth. After rIFNα treatment, all three patients demonstrated polyclonal hematopoiesis. Nonetheless, Jak2V617F expression, PRV-1 overexpression, and EEC-growth remained detectable, albeit at lower levels. We conclude that reemergence of polyclonal hematopoiesis after rIFNα treatment may be achieved in a substantial proportion of patients. However, this does not constitute elimination of the PV clone. These data demonstrate the usefulness of novel markers in monitoring minimal residual disease and caution against discontinuation of rIFNα treatment after hematologic remission. Long-term follow-up of large patient cohorts is required to determine whether rIFNα treatment can cause complete molecular remissions in PV.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. R. Silver for the insightful and critical revision of the manuscript, Britta Hasemeier for the excellent technical assistance Dr. G. Hagner for the help in sample collection, and Prof. Dr. K. Geiger for his continuing support. This work was supported by grants from the Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung as well as the Alfried-Krupp-Förderpreis to H. L. P.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Center for Clinical Research, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    C. Steimle, S. Temerinac, Ph. S. Goerttler & H. L. Pahl

  2. Institute of Pathology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    U. Lehmann & H. Kreipe

  3. Department of Hematology/Oncology, Klinikum Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, München, Germany

    G. Meinhardt

  4. Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Ulm, Robert-Koch-Str. 5, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    H. Heimpel

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  1. C. Steimle
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  2. U. Lehmann
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  8. H. L. Pahl
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Correspondence to H. L. Pahl.

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Steimle, C., Lehmann, U., Temerinac, S. et al. Biomarker analysis in polycythemia vera under interferon-alpha treatment: clonality, EEC, PRV-1, and JAK2 V617F. Ann Hematol 86, 239–244 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-006-0214-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-006-0214-1

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