Myelofibrosis (MF)

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Myelofibrosis (MF)?

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm where bone marrow scarring (fibrosis) impairs blood production, leading to extramedullary hematopoiesis (e.g., in spleen/liver). Primary MF or secondary (post-PV/ET) types. In 2025, ~3,000 US cases, median age 65, equal genders.

Symptoms

Symptoms include fatigue (anemia), abdominal pain/fullness (splenomegaly, 90%), weight loss, night sweats, itching, bone pain, gout, and bleeding/infections. Early asymptomatic; advanced causes portal hypertension.

Causes

JAK2 V617F mutation (50-60%), CALR (20-25%), MPL (5-10%), or triple-negative. Risk factors include age, prior myeloproliferative disorders. In 2025, driver mutations and inflammation key.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses CBC (anemia, variable white/platelet counts), peripheral smear (teardrop cells, leukoerythroblastosis), bone marrow biopsy (fibrosis), and molecular testing for JAK2/CALR/MPL. JAK2 allele burden assesses risk. In 2025, NGS detects additional mutations.

Treatment

Asymptomatic monitored; symptomatic uses ruxolitinib (JAK inhibitor, reduces spleen size 35%), fedratinib, or pacritinib. Anemia treated with luspatercept. SCT curative for high-risk (40-50% success). In 2025, navitoclax + ruxolitinib improves responses.

Future Outlook

In 2025, median survival 5-7 years, varying by risk (15 years low, 2 years high). JAK inhibitors extend to 10 years low-risk. By 2030, BCL-XL inhibitors and gene therapy could achieve 12 years median.

Sources

Mayo Clinic’s “Myelofibrosis – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; Cleveland Clinic’s “Myelofibrosis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment” for treatment; NCI’s “Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Treatment” for prognosis; PMC’s “Myelofibrosis: Update on Diagnosis and Treatment” for updates; OncoDaily’s “Myelofibrosis (MF): Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment” for details; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Myelofibrosis” for overview; Cancer Research UK’s “Myelofibrosis” for research; MPN Advocacy’s “Myelofibrosis” for advocacy; WebMD’s “What Is Myelofibrosis?” for understanding; Healthline’s “Myelofibrosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment” for causes.