Can ruxolitinib replace hydroxyurea as a frontline therapy for polycythemia vera?

During the International Academy for Clinical Hematology (IACH) 2023 Congress, the MPN Hub spoke with Claire Harrison, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. We asked, Can ruxolitinib replace hydroxyurea as a frontline therapy for polycythemia vera? 

Harrison begins by reflecting on current frontline treatment options for patients with polycythemia vera and mentions the introduction of ruxolitinib as a second-line treatment choice. She then discusses whether treatment with a drug is always an appropriate frontline option, outlining clinical scenarios when this should be strongly considered. Harrison continues by evaluating the choice of ruxolitinib or hydroxyurea, specifically in high-risk patients. Finally, she highlights important points from the recent phase II MAJIC-PV study (ISRCTN61925716).