The Microenvironment in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines being commonly found in all 3 subtypes. Systemic inflammation is responsible for the constitutional symptoms, thrombosis risk, premature atherosclerosis, and disease evolution in MPN. Although the neoplastic clone and their differentiated progeny drive the inflammatory process, they also induce ancillary cytokine secretion from nonmalignant cells. Here, the authors describe the inflammatory milieu in MPN based on soluble factors and cellular mediators. They also discuss the prognostic value of cytokine measurements in patients with MPN and potential therapeutic strategies that target the cellular players in inflammation.