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Micro- and macrovascular thrombosis, platelet dysfunction, marrow fibrosis, and leukemic transformation are the main clinical characteristics of essential thrombocythemia (ET). In 2009, the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) published response criteria for the treatment of patients with ET (Blood 2009; 113:4829). Complete response was defined as a decline in platelet count to ≤400,000/µL, normal spleen size, white blood cell count ≤10,000/µL, and no disease-related symptoms (microvascular disturbances, pruritus, headache). Partial response was defined as a platelet count <600,000/µL or a decrease of >50% from baseline.
To assess the usefulness of the ELN criteria, Italian investigators retrospectively evaluated the responses of 416 ET patients (63% …