Diagnosis of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Current Perspectives from Recent Research

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, 2017 revised edition, representing the most recent update of the customarily amended classification, last updated in 2008, has recently been published [1]. Since the last edition, there has been tremendous advancement in the basic understanding of disease pathobiology, leading to the discovery of newer biomarkers. This has impacted the diagnostic criteria in the myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) category significantly [1, 2]. Majority of the voluminous information has been obtained from research based on the gene expression analysis and next-generation sequencing (NGS) [3–8]. Nevertheless, this newer 2017 classification retains the basic approach hinged on clinical characteristics, morphological features, immunophenotype, and cytogenetics (CTG). This highlights a consensus of opinion and expertise recommendation from different hematopathologists, clinical hematologists and also from other branches related to hematology like oncologists and geneticists [1].