Expert Highlights Importance of Understanding Myelofibrosis Treatments

Choosing the right treatment path for patients with myelofibrosis can feel overwhelming, especially as new therapies and clinical trials continue to expand, according to Dr. Prithviraj Bose.

He goes on to say that patients benefit most when they partner closely with their care teams and, whenever possible, consult with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) specialist. To talk more about navigating treatment decisions and the importance of specialized care, Bose sat down for an interview with CURE. During the discussion, he explained how patients can better understand their options and access the most up-to-date advancements in care.

Bose currently serves as a professor in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Transcript

With new therapies and combinations being studied, how can patients with myelofibrosis work with their care team to understand which treatment options are best suited for their individual situation?

MPNs are still rare enough that patients are best advised to see an MPN specialist. While they can certainly work with their local hematologist, it's a good idea, in general, given that these are rare conditions, to see someone who focuses on MPNs. They can give the patient a more nuanced understanding of the different treatment choices we have today, as well as the profusion of clinical trials.

The trials can be a dizzying maze. There are so many trials in so many settings; there are so many designs. I often have patients who have read up on them but who have not perhaps been able to appreciate some key differences in the design, which I don't blame them for, as this is not what they do.

Overall, I think it's really important that patients try to seek care from someone who focuses on this area and is well-versed with everything that's going on.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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