he gut microbiota in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) showed a significant difference compared with healthy controls (HCs), according to a study published in the European Journal of Haematology, although patients with MPNs who have a specific driver mutation had a similar bacterial composition compared with HCs.
In particular, MPNs, including essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), pre-fibrotic myelofibrosis (pre-PMF) and primary myelofibrosis, have driver mutations, such as JAK2V617F, JAK2 exon, MPL or Calreticulin (CALR). Researchers found that patients with MPNs who are CALR-positive had the highest resemblance to HCs.
The study demonstrated that patients with MPNs have changes in the gut microbiota, which may be caused by their disease, which may include inflammation. This change in the microbiota has been shown to initiate and progress the disease, according to the study. Researchers also noted that the gut microbiota also affects the immune system, infection control and steady production of blood cells.