Novel blood biomarkers for predicting bone marrow failure in Myeloproliferative neoplasms. 

2019-2023 (co-funded Snowdome/Gunn Family/Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision) The Gunn Family National Fellowship for Career Development in Research – Women in Haematology. Novel blood biomarkers for predicting bone marrow failure in Myeloproliferative neoplasms. Dr Belinda Guo, University of Western Australia.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of bone marrow cancers where there is an overproduction of blood or immune cells. MPN patients have a 20% risk of progressing to bone marrow failure as a consequence of bone marrow scarring. Megakaryocytes (large cells in the bone marrow that produce platelets) are known to play a role in this scarring process thus may serve as good source of information that can be used to monitor disease progression. 

Currently there is no test to help determine the risk of MPN patients progressing to bone marrow failure. This study aims to develop such a diagnostic marker/test. Utilising blood platelets as a source of information, we will monitor changes in the genetics of these cells as a cheaper and quicker test compared to conventional approaches. In the first 38 patients this new proposed technique for monitoring changes in MPN progression suggested 88% accuracy. Testing using this analysis technique is now expanding at two main hospitals in Western Australia.