In this video, Albert talks about how he was diagnosed with myelofibrosis and how it’s affected his life. Albert took a new drug which at the time of filming was under trial to treat myelofibrosis. This drug is a JAK2 inhibitor called Ruxolitinib. Albert was very pleased with how he responded on the new medication. You can read more about JAK2 and the inhibitor trials on our research pages. Read on below the video to find detailed information about myelofibrosis (MF).
About myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis (MF) is a blood cancer which affects the way blood cells are produced in the body. People over the age of sixty are most likely to have this disease, with men and women equally at risk.
MF affects the bone marrow, the “factory” inside our bodies which produces blood cells. MF causes scar tissue and fibrous tissue to build up inside the bone marrow, so that the marrow can’t produce blood cells effectively. As a result blood making tissue leaves the bone marrow and takes place elsewhere in the body commonly the spleen, or liver.
MF patients often have low numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells and/or platelets resulting in anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia respectively.
In MF, there are too many fibroblasts in the marrow. Fibroblasts are cells which produce connective tissue, scar and fibrous tissue. The excess fibroblasts scar the bone marrow and stop the bone marrow from making blood cells. This increase in fibrous tissue is thought to occur due to the abnormal stem cells not abnormal fibroblasts.
Types of myelofibrosis
MF can develop in several ways:
- Primary: The disorder can develop spontaneously on its own. In this case we call the disorder “primary” or “idiopathic” myelofibrosis (PMF).
- Post MPN: People may develop myelofibrosis after they have had another myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) for some time. If MF develops after someone has had essential thrombocythaemia (ET) or polycythaemia vera (PV), we call the disorder “post ET” or “post PV” myelofibrosis.
- With another disease: MF sometimes develops as a result of another disease such as autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, cancers like Hodgkin’s disease, tuberculosis or damage caused by radiation. This type of myelofibrosis is not the same as MF caused by an MPN.
MF is also sometimes called agnogenic myeloid metaplasia or idiopathic myelofibrosis but these are old-fashioned terms and not often used nowadays.
How common is MF?
MF is considered to be a rare blood cancer. The number of people diagnosed each year with MF will be two to three cases per 100,000 and it is equally common in men and women. It primarily affects middle-aged and elderly people and is hardly ever diagnosed in children.
Causes
Recent research shows that about 50-60% of people with MF have a mutation (or change) in a protein called JAK2, a protein that regulates blood cell production. A further 30% of patients have mutations in a gene called calreticulin referred to as CALR, between 5-10% of patients have mutations in the platelet hormone receptor called MPL. Other mutations in many genes are found in patients with MF but these are also seen in blood diseases. Current research is focused upon whether different patterns of mutations might be important for outcome or prognosis of the disease and also response to treatment.
Patients with MF are not born with these mutations but acquire them during their lives. It is also important to note that MF is rarely inherited and is not passed on from parent to child, although some families do seem to develop the disease more readily than others.
We are learning more but additional research needs to be done to determine the causes of MF.
Diagnosis
Symptoms
About 10-20% of people with MF do not exhibit any symptoms. Their condition may be found by chance, for instance during a routine blood test. The other 80-90% of people diagnosed with MF may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Excessive tiredness, weakness or shortage of breath as a result of anaemia
- Pain or fullness below the ribs due to an enlarged spleen
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Excessive sweating especially during sleep (night sweats)
- Bone pain
- Frequent infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Heavy periods
- Fever
- Sweating
- Fatigue not related to anaemia
Diagnostic tests
Your haematologist may recommend some of the following tests to confirm a diagnosis of myelofibrosis:
- Full blood count blood test: Your haematologist will review your full blood count for signs of high blood cell counts or low total blood count (called “pancytopenia”). In the early phase of the disease, your bone marrow may be overactive and make too many blood cells. This phase occurs before the fibrous scarring begins to become very prominent and damages the bone marrow. In later stages of the disease, blood cell counts may be low.
- JAK2 test: Your haematologist can test your blood to see if you have a change of gene called JAK2 V617F mutation. About 50% of people with MF show this mutation. Your haematologist may also test for other possible mutations in the same way. Recent research has shown that about 50-60% of patients have a mutation (or change) in a protein called JAK2. 25-30% have a mutation in a gene called Calreticulin and another 2-5% of patients have a mutation in a protein called MPL. Both JAK2 and MPL are proteins which regulate blood cell production. Calreticulin is involved in calcium flow within the cell which is also important in growth signals. Researchers don’t currently understand what causes these mutations to occur.
- Abdominal ultrasound: If your haematologist suspects that you may have myelofibrosis, he or she will check to see if your spleen is enlarged. This is because in MF your spleen may begin to produce blood cells, and these collect inside the spleen. The ultrasound is a painless test.
- Bone marrow biopsy (BMB): A bone marrow biopsy is a test of your bone marrow that is done in the hospital. You will not need to stay overnight in the hospital, and you will generally just need local anaesthesia. Your haematologist will give you some medication to prevent pain, and then he or she will extract some bone marrow from your hip bone using a needle. The bone marrow tissue can then be examined in a laboratory so that your haematologist can see how the stem cells in your bone marrow are working, and if there is any fibrosis in your marrow.
Treatment
The main aims of the treatment are to control symptoms of the blood cancer, including low blood counts and the size of the spleen. Additional treatments may be considered to control the disease as it progresses.
Treatment to control symptoms
These treatments will help to reduce the unpleasant symptoms you may experience with MF, such as fatigue. Treatments include:
- Blood Transfusions: Your consultant will use blood transfusions to treat severe anaemia. If your platelet count is very low or if you have problems with bleeding, you may need platelet transfusions.
- Danazol: This is a hormone that is made naturally by the body. This hormone can stimulate the production of red cells and can sometimes make the haemoglobin level rise. Some patients are given danazol to prevent the need for blood transfusions. This drug is given orally. Side effects include weight gain due to fluid retention and a slight increase in facial hair growth in women. It can also affect the liver or kidneys.
- Erythropoetin: Sometimes anaemia is the main problem for MF patients. In this case treatment with erythropoetin (EpO) can be effective. EpO is the hormone naturally produced by the body that stimulates the bone marrow to make red cells. This drug is given by injection under the skin.
- Aspirin: Low-dose aspirin (75mg once a day) may be given if the platelet count is high and there is a risk of blood clots (thrombosis).
- Splenectomy/Splenic Irradiation: If the main symptom is abdominal pain and discomfort due to a very large spleen, or if the need for blood and platelet transfusions is very high, or if there is no response to medical treatment, it may be beneficial to remove the spleen. There are risks of bleeding and infections with this operation. Occasionally radiotherapy can be given to try to reduce the size of the spleen.
Treatments to control disease progression
There are some treatment options which can reduce the rate at which the disease progresses. These include:
- Jakavi® ruxolitinib
- Hydroxycarbamide
- Busulfan
- Azacytidine Cytarbine
- Danazol
- Thalidomide and prednisolone
- Interferon alpha
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)
Management of an enlarged spleen
An enlarged spleen is a common symptom of MF, often leading to pain and discomfort and a feeling of fullness or loss of appetite. Treatment options include:
- JAK inhibitor (currently only Ruxolitinib or Jakavi is approved): This tablet reduces the effect of JAK activity and reduces the spleen as well as symptoms and it may also prolong survival. Side effects include low blood counts, risks of infection, headaches and dizziness.
- Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen): This is considered if the spleen is painful and causing complications and due to the risks all surgical procedures carry, it is quite common not to recommend splenectomy until other treatment options have been exhausted.
- Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy or radiation of the spleen is an option if splenectomy is ruled out. Performed in hospital, radiotherapy helps to reduce the size of the spleen and can also relieve other related symptoms, such as bone pain. Radiation kills cells using high strength laser-beams such as x-rays. It usually provides temporary relief that lasts between three and six months.
Management of anaemia
Anaemia is common in people with MF. Symptoms include excessive tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath. If these are causing difficulties, the haematologist may suggest blood transfusions.
Blood transfusions are relatively safe and usually done in an out-patients’ clinic involving the transfer of red blood cells from a compatible donor into the MF patient. This can quickly reduce the symptoms of anaemia and don’t usually cause serious complications. However there is a risk of iron overload for patients who may receive a series of transfusions over several years and this will be discussed with the managing haematologist. Other options are danazol, Erythropoietin, thalidomide.
Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT)
Bone marrow transplants are the only treatment that can cure MF, but have significant risks. Read more about bone marrow translants in our Treatments section.
Complications
There are a number of complications associated with MF:
- Fatigue: Anaemia can cause fatigue.
- Spleen enlargement: An enlarged spleen can cause discomfort and shortness of breath.
- Gout: MF can increase the body’s production of uric acid which in turn can cause joint pain and inflammation.
- Infections: Myelofibrosis can reduce the production of white blood cells, cells that fight off infection. Mutated or overproduction of white cells or insufficiently formed white cells will lead to a decreased ability of your body to resist infections.
- Bleeding complications: In advanced stages of MF, a lower platelet count or impaired platelet function may lead to uncontrolled or easy bleeding or bruising.
- Bone pain: Can occur and may need strong pain killers.
- Thrombosis: The risk of a blood clot is increased in patients with MF.
- AML: Between10-20% of patients will develop leukaemia.
Prognosis
MF is a progressive disorder which is irreversible in most cases.
What determines prognosis
The prognosis depends on your age, the results of your blood and bone marrow tests and your symptoms. Your haematologist can evaluate your haemoglobin level, white cell count, age and bone marrow cytogenetic (chromosome orgenetic analysis) results and will take all these factors into account to decide your prognosis and appropriate treatment regime.
Prognosis varies by person
The progression of MF is very variable. People in a good prognostic group can have up to at least fifteen years of being well. Those in the poor prognosis group may have a survival of about twelve to eighteen months. Between 10 to 20% of MF patients may develop acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly.
Scoring system
A scoring system is often used by haematologists to gauge prognosis the most recent one relies upon whether any other the following factors are present:
- White cell count OVER 25
- Haemoglobin LESS than 100g/L or 10g/dl
- Blasts (immature cells in blood) MORE than 1%
- Disease related symptoms
- Age over 65 years
Your haematologist may give you a prognostic score. These scores are divided into low, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 or high risk disease. People with high risk disease have a shorter life expectancy. Up to 20% of people with MF may develop acute myeloid leukaemia (AML); this a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly and has a poor prognosis. As prognosis can vary significantly from patient to patient, it’s best to talk with your haematologist for information specific to your situation.
Your Guide to Myelofibrosis (MF)
Information and advice about causes, symptoms and management. Download a copy of our booklet here…
