A review of the therapeutic agents used in the management of polycythaemia vera.
The acquired clonal disorder Polycythaemia Vera leads to increased erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis and megakaryopoeisis. These anomalies result in an increased incidence of thromboembolic events, transformation to acute leukaemia and myelofibrosis. Treatments which aim to reduce the event rate may increase anaemia but may also affect the rate of complications. This paper reviews the evidence for the treatments which have been used in the management of the disorders over a 50 plus year period. Assessment of this evidence and its limitations form the basis for the current suggested management plans.
McMullin
Mary Frances
MF
Haematology, Queen's University, Belfast, U Floor, Tower Block, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB, UK. m.mcmullin@qub.ac.uk
D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010885:Pipobroman / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D010885:Pipobroman; D007372:Interferons; D006918:Hydroxyurea