Should JAK2 VAF testing be implemented as routine in risk assessment and disease monitoring in MPN?

During the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2023 Hybrid Congress, the MPN Hub was pleased to speak to Mary McMullin, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. We asked, Should JAK2 variant allele frequency (VAF) testing be implemented as routine in risk assessment and disease monitoring in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)?

In this video interview, McMullin provides the argument against the use of JAK2 VAF testing as routine in JAK2-positive MPN. McMullin discusses the aims and targets for therapy and considers whether JAK2 VAF status influences treatment choice. Other clinical indicators such as blood count are noted and compared for their value against JAK2 VAF testing in overall management strategies. McMullin concludes by summarizing the potential negative impacts VAF testing could have on patient morale and the impracticality of implementing it as routine.