Damon Runyon Researchers

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of blood cancers in which a malignant cell population proliferates out of control. Myelofibrosis (MF) is one type of MPN in which the bone marrow becomes replaced by scar tissue, leading to progressive failure of normal blood cell functions and ultimately death, on average five years after initial diagnosis. MPNs, including MF, can evolve to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML), which is almost invariably fatal. There is no reliable curative treatment currently available for MPNs or MF. Targeted inhibitors of a protein called JAK2 provide significant symptomatic benefit for MF patients. However, these treatments do not cure the disease, nor has it been shown that they can prevent or delay progression to sAML. Dr. Oh [Doris Duke-Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator] aims to investigate the cellular abnormalities that underlie these blood cancers. These studies have the potential to lead to the development of improved treatments for MPNs.