Insights from the The MPN Workshop of the Carolinas 2024, August 23-25

The MPN Workshop of the Carolinas aims to deliver the latest insights into the pathogenesis and management of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) to practicing clinicians, while encouraging dialogue between clinicians and researchers on challenges in management and opportunities to enhance outcomes for MPN patients.

Objectives:

• Determine the most effective therapies for MPN patients.
• Evaluate the current understanding of molecular response as a surrogate marker for key clinical outcomes, such as overall survival, leukemia-free survival, and thrombosis-free survival in MPN.
• Explore potential vulnerabilities in MPN stem cells or the hematopoietic stem cell niche that could be targeted to further improve MPN treatment.

Course Directors

Ruben Mesa, MD  | Atrium Health Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center

Naveen Pemmaraju, MD | MD Anderson Cancer Center

Co-Course Directors

Rupali R. Bhave, MD | Atrium Health Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center

Alexander R. Coltoff, MD | MUSC Health

Michael Grunwald, MD | Levine Cancer, Atrium Health

Brandi Reeves, MD | UNC School of Medicine

Lindsay Rein, MD | Duke Health

Oncologists and researchers have shared their insights from the conference as follows:

1. Naveen Pemmaraju shared a post on X:

“A huge thanks for the Inspiring, authentic, heartfelt talk about the CALR discovery journey by Dr Jyoti Nangalia on Reflections on CALR past, present, and future at our inaugural MPN WorkshopNC24 (a reboot of our TXMPNWorkshop ) ”

So many new memories & new ideas  together from our inaugural MPN Workshop NC24 meeting !

Superb talk on CALR by Dr Shannon Elf at MPN Workshop NC24. 

Naveen Pemmaraju is a Professor and Director of BPDCN Program at the Department of Leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) and Executive Director of MDACC Network. He is also the Leukemia Hematology/Oncology Course Director. His research work has been focused on improving outcomes and developing novel therapies for patients with rare, and ultra-rare, myeloid malignancies; including adolescents, young adults, and older adult patients with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN), MPN and AML.

2. Ruben Mesa shared on X:

The incomparable Ross Levine kicking off MPNworkshopNC on targeting JAK2!

So grateful for our amazing MPN workshop NC co-chairs for helping us put together an incredible meeting in amazing Asheville NC!

Dr. Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP, serves as the president and executive director of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additionally, he holds the position of vice dean for cancer programs and professor of medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He is an international expert in hematologic cancers, particularly myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Through his tireless efforts, Dr. Mesa continues to drive progress in the understanding and treatment of hematologic malignancies, offering hope to those affected by these complex diseases.

4. Stephen Oh, Associate Professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, shared on X:

Grateful for the opportunity to share our latest research in a beautiful setting, connect our WashU Heme/Onc Fellowship Ling Huang with the mpnsm community, and perhaps most importantly, avoid any dangerous bear encounters!

5. The Video Journal of Hematology & Hematological Oncology shared on X:

Wrapping up a wonderful 1st MPN Workshop NC with Jerry Spivak of Hopkins Medicine reflecting on his career and an impressive journey through academic hematology and the MPNs.

The first session of the day is currently underway here at the MPNWorkshopNC and includes talks on SCT and immunotherapy in MPNs!