Novartis Survey Reveals Burden of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (Rare Blood Cancers) on Patients' Daily Activity and Ability to Work, Calling for More Proactive Symptom Assessment

CAMBERLEY, England, June 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

• Findings show more than a quarter of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients are managed with watchful waiting at diagnosis, despite one in five (22%) reporting moderate to high symptom burden^[1]
• Survey highlights potential disconnect between perceived symptom severity among UK patients and clinicians^[2]
• Data presented at 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Madrid, Spain  

Novartis today announced new data from the MPN Landmark survey, with clinicians reporting more than a quarter of their MPN patients are managed with watchful waiting at diagnosis^[1]. Although most patients in the survey reported low symptom burden, more than one in five (22%) reported moderate to high burden, highlighting the need for proactive and standardised symptom assessment at diagnosis and during the course of treatment^[1].

The cross-sectional MPN Landmark survey assesses the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV), and essential thrombocythemia (ET), which are rare and life-threatening blood cancers collectively known as MPNs^[1]. Findings from the survey, conducted in Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, were presented at 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Madrid, Spain.

A sub-group analysis of the survey, comparing UK patients and clinicians with the rest of the survey population (rest of surveyed world [ROSW]), highlights higher symptom burden in the UK, as reported by patients in 28 of the 31 symptoms investigated, including fatigue and tiredness (UK - 87% MF and PV, 86% ET; ROSW - 64% MF, 39% PV, 45% ET)^[2]. UK patients also reported greater overall disease burden, with 35% UK patients in the high symptom burden group, versus 16% ROSW patients^[2].

In contrast to the patient findings, UK clinicians did not perceive a greater symptom severity among their patients, revealing a potential disconnect in perceptions. However, with more patients under their care than their ROSW counterparts, UK clinicians felt they have less time to fully discuss symptoms and discuss management plans with their patients^[2].

Dr. Claire Harrison, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom said: "MPNs place a significant burden on patients, with symptoms impacting on their quality of life. Findings from the MPN Landmark survey highlight the need for individual patient evaluation and tailored management and treatment according to their specific circumstances. While watchful waiting remains a mainstay of MPN management, wider measures should be considered to detect and mitigate symptom burden amongst these patients."