MPN Interferon Initiative Report

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On the 30th November, Lara Chapman represented the MPN Alliance Australia as an invited guest, at the 2nd Annual ASH Meeting, hosted in San Diego by the MPN Research Foundation. The MPN AA would like to thank our partner organisation, MPN RF, for the invitation. We appreciate the opportunity to follow up on the progress being made on this project on behalf of the donors who have supported the MPN AA.

The meeting convened to hear updates on the progress from the Grantees of the MPN Interferon Initiative. Although, the meeting was very scientific as researchers reported to their peers, the overarching feeling as an observer, was one of positivity and hope for new information and progress being made. As a patient, it was encouraging to witness the sharing of information and respect amongst the scientific community. Project Manager, Mr Richard Winneker and the MPN RF are to be congratulated on establishing such a positive research environment, and we can only hope that through sharing of resources and information, that greater progress and outcomes will be forged.

The MPN AA contribution to the MPN Interferon Initiative directly supports research here in Australia. Dr Steven Lane’s laboratory is based in Brisbane. Dr Lane (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute) collaborates with Dr Ann Mullally (Brigham & Women’s Hospital) and Dr Michael Milsom (German Cancer Research Centre).

The aims of their project are outlined in the slide below.  (IFN refers to Interferon).

Achievements in the first 12 months are:

  • Validated CRISPR/Cas9 in vivo gene editing studies to develop and validate clinically relevant models of MPN disease progression (published)
  • Mechanistic understanding of interferon on Jak2 V617F stem cells (completed/ manuscript in preparation)
  • Acquisition and validation of Ropeginterferon (experiments ongoing)

Of particular interest is the finding that Ropeginterferon to date has shown superior durability of action, tolerability and efficacy compared to Pegasys and other forms of Interferon.

We look forward to hearing more as the project progresses.

Lara Chapman

 

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