You asked @clickinhistory, and lo and behold! They’re very note-like though so excuse typos. These relate specifically to Polycythaemia vera (PV):
Interferon works better when there’s only the JAK2 gene mutation
High white blood cell count adds risk of increased progression
Having a higher allele burden, above 50 %, means more likelihood of progression to MF or other rarer MPNs
Both blood tests and bone marrow biopsies are as accurate when testing for JAK2 gene mutation, biopsies don’t need to keep being done regularly unless there are indications of progression
Neuropathy in hands and feet unlikely to be caused by medications like hydroxyurea, interferon, ruxolitinib—may be due to hyper-viscosity of blood
Bone pain is an established Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) symptom
If haematocrit is high you’ll get blurry vision
Micro vascular/circularity disturbances if platelets are high
Venous clots occur more often than arterial clots in Polycythaemia vera (PV) patients from build up of plaque
Ruxolitinib can cause weight gain, not the Polycythaemia vera (PV)
Ruxolitinib impairs aspects of immunity
1 % of Polycythaemia vera (PV) patients have no JAK2 gene mutation, very uncommon, hence why JAK2 is so indicative of Polycythaemia vera (PV)
Interferon doesn’t work fast (slower than hydroxyurea in first year) so it takes time and may need phlebotomy alongside it
Stem cell transplants are not recommended for Polycythaemia vera (PV) patients as the disease is indolent, while transplant is a very risky tool (10 % chance of dying from transplant)
Manage weight, blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol
If hydroxyurea causes neutropenia then that shows intolerance to it and a reason to change to ruxolitinib
Itching is thought to be a cytokine mediated symptom, somehow these chemicals cause it
Median survival 18-19 years, not very helpful statistic as it’s too broad a range, mostly in patients aged 60+
MIPSS-Polycythaemia vera (PV) diagnostic survival tool for more refined prognosis
Younger patients have a better outcome
Secondary polycythaemia is not Polycythaemia vera (PV) but can present similarly and can be caused by sleep apnoea, smoking, testosterone