Diagnosis and treatment of BCR/ABL-negative myeloproliferative diseases - principles and rationale of CZEMP recommendations
Abstract
In 2009, the recommendations of the Czech Collaborative Group for Ph- Myeloproliferative Diseases (CZEMP) for diagnosis and treatment of BCR/ABL-negative myeloproliferative diseases (MPD), i.e. essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythaemia vera (PV) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) were updated and extended. The present article gives the rationale of the recommendations in full detail.
The CZEMP diagnostic criteria for ET and PMF are based on histopathological (HP) findings, which must unconditionally be in line with the given clinical and laboratory characteristics of ET or of a certain stage of PMF, respectively. The platelet count is not decisive for diagnosis.
In cases lacking an adequately taken and read HP finding, the Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG) criteria are recommended. The diagnosis of typical PV is based on demonstration of the V617F mutation of the JAK2 gene along with a significant increase of red cell parameters.
If these are close to borderline, the demonstration of increased total red cell mass (RCM) is required. In atypical cases lacking polyglobulia or elevated RCM, the HP picture of PV (in accordance with WHO description) plus JAK2 V617F mutation is satisfactory for diagnosis, or, in cases lacking JAK2 V617F mutation, the HP picture of PV along with polyglobulia (or increased RCM) is sufficient.
The treatment principles of ET and other MPDs with thrombocythemia (MPD-T; i.e. the early stages of PMF and PV) are identical. The patients are stratified by their thrombotic risk (preceding thrombosis, another thrombophilic state, JAK2 mutation), presence of disease symptoms (mainly microcirculatory), platelet count and age.
Only patients up to 65 years lacking the above mentioned risks with a platelet count = 10% immature granulocytes in the differential picture, > 1 erythroblast per 100 cells - all at repeated examinations within at least a 2-month interval, and in addition, rapid progression of hepato-/splenomegaly, presence of general symptoms of the disease, portal hypertension and extensive swellings.