Association of JAK2V617F mutation with thrombosis in Indian patients with Philadelphia negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.

BACKGROUND

: It is still a matter of debate regarding the association of JAK2V617F mutation with thrombosis in BCR-ABL negative CMPN patients. The role of JAK2V617F mutation in increasing the thrombotic risk in CMPNs is yet unequivocal.

AIMS

: To clarify the contribution of JAK2V617F mutation in thrombosis in CMPN patients.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This retrospective study was done to evaluate role of JAK2V617F mutation in thrombosis in CMPNs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

65 CMPN patients (PV, ET and PMF) were analyzed for JAK2V617F mutation using ARMS-PCR and detailed history of thrombosis was recorded in these patients.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

P values were 2 tailed, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

: 46/65 were males and 19/65 were females [M: F: 2.4:1] with median age 46 years [range, 14-80 years]. Patients had median Hb 15.6 g/dl [range, 5.1-20.3], median TLC 10.7 × 10/l [range 2.4-216] and platelet count 360 × 10/l [range, 20-1859]. 32 were JAK2V617F positive and 33 were negative for this mutation. On comparing the prevalence of thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive patients with JAK2V617F negative patients, we observed that 20/32 (62.5%) JAK2V617F positive patients had thrombosis as compared to 16/33 (48%) in JAK2V617F negative patients (P = 0.04). We observed significant association of JAK2V617F mutation with thrombosis, however no association of this mutation with thrombosis was observed among the JAK2V617F negative patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that JAK2V617F mutation may increase the risk of thrombosis in CMPNs. This finding could lead to risk stratification, setting up the treatment strategy in CMPNs.