In this context, the distinctive role of a positive JAK2(V617F) mutation for the diagnosis of Ph- MPD was underscored, including entities with a low allele burden and the discrimination from reactive disorders (autoimmune myelofibrosis, reactive thrombocytosis).
The JAK2 mutation was detected in 25 patients (46%); 12 of 26 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 9 of 12 patients with polycyhtemia vera (PV), one of 7 patients with chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIM) and one patient with unclassifiable MPD.
Accordingly, there is now molecular justification for grouping PV, ET, and MF together in a distinct MPD category (i.e., classic, BCR-ABL(-) MPD) that is separate from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), MDS, and atypical MPD.