Dr. Kambhampati on Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Suman Kambhampati, MD, co-director of the Blood Cancer Center at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, HCA Midwest Health, discusses the use of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a pegylated form of interferon that is being investigated in MPNs. At the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting, data were presented on the agent, although physicians are anticipating more mature data by the end of 2020, says Kambhampati. Based on the trial, interferon was found to be noninferior to hydroxyurea as a frontline therapy. Pending more data, this agent may bring a more tolerable and newer generation interferon to patients, he adds.

Currently, interferon can be used as frontline or second-line therapy in patients with MPNs, explains Kambhampati. In the first-line setting, interferon is comparable to hydroxyurea. In patients who are intolerant to hydroxyurea, interferon can also be used as an appropriate therapy. Interferon is a disease-modifying agent which shows efficacy in inducing molecular remissions across mutational burden.