Program Description:
Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms driven by abnormal Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling. Both PV and ET can progress over time despite appearing low risk at diagnosis. PV is defined by erythrocytosis with an elevated thrombotic risk, while ET is marked by persistent thrombocytosis and a similarly variable risk of thrombosis, bleeding, symptom burden, and clonal evolution to myelofibrosis or secondary acute myeloid leukemia. Management requires more than mutation recognition, and oncology pharmacists must be able to apply guideline-based treatment selection, individualized dosing, and ongoing monitoring to balance thrombosis prevention, symptom control, and toxicity mitigation. Current care includes phlebotomy and aspirin for most patients with PV, with cytoreductive therapy, such as hydroxyurea, interferons, or ruxolitinib, for higher-risk or symptomatic disease, while ET management similarly centers on aspirin and risk-adapted cytoreduction with hydroxyurea or interferon-based therapy. Emerging options continue to expand the landscape and may reduce phlebotomy burden in PV, improve hematocrit control, and ease symptoms in phlebotomy-dependent patients. Because treatment selection depends on disease biology, risk category, comorbidities, organ function, symptom burden, and practical issues such as access, adherence, and administration logistics, oncology pharmacists must be prepared to interpret guidelines, support initiation and dose adjustment, and recognize how emerging options may fit into care. This webinar will emphasize the pharmacist’s role in identifying appropriate therapy and monitoring for cytopenias, infection risk, and other treatment-emergent toxicities. The discussion will equip oncology pharmacists to provide structured adherence support and patient education to reduce the symptom burden for patients with PV and ET.
Target audience: Oncology pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: September 9, 2026
Expiration date: November 9, 2026
Time
to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Learner level: Foundational,
Intermediate
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate the mechanisms and clinical roles of FDA-approved and emerging therapies based on polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) biology
- Factor current clinical guideline recommendations into treatment selection and dosing strategies for patients with PV and ET
- Apply evidence-based monitoring and management strategies common treatment-related toxicities associated with PV and ET therapies
- Optimize pharmacist-led strategies that mitigate disease and treatment burden, support medication adherence, and provide patient education throughout the PV and ET treatment journey
