Oncogenic Signals as Treatment Targets in Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Therapeutically validated oncoproteins in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) include BCR-ABL in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and a spectrum of PDGFRA/B mutant proteins that are products of intra- (eg, FIP1L1-PDGFRA) or interchromosomal (eg, ETV6-PDGFRB) gene fusions. Other MPN-relevant putative oncogenes that are awaiting therapeutic validation, include JAK2 and MPL mutations in polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF); KITD816V and other KIT mutations in systemic mastocytosis, and FGFR1 rearrangements associated with the 8p11 leukemia/lymphoma syndrome. The current review focuses on mutant molecules of interest in classic MPNs (ie, CML, PV, ET, and PMF) in the context of their value as drug targets.