What are the Present Treatment Options?
Hydroxyurea, anagrelide, and Interferon are used, either instead of, or supplementary to, phlebotomies, and trials of a relatively new drug, Gleevec, are continuing. a. Hydroxyurea (HU) (Hydrea; Droxia) The PVSG studies demonstrated that hydroxyurea is effective, and much safer than the older agents, in treating PV. PVSG trials showed that it was associated with a lower incidence of thrombotic episodes, but a slightly higher incidence of acute leukemia (AML), during the life of the trials. The risk of AML has resulted in a prolonged debate on the safety of HU, but as yet there are no studies that can say whether it is definitely associated with a higher risk of AML. Because of this uncertainty many doctors prefer to avoid HU in younger patients (less than 40 yo, although there is no general agreement on this, and some patients in their 30s are prescribed HU).Many doctors feel very comfortable with its use, and it is still the most-used treatment for PV after phlebotomy. Some doctors do
