Meeting Summary

The first SOTS meeting on the Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPDs) and Mastocytosis yielded various recommendations for further research in Systemic mast cell disease (SMCD)/ mastocytosis as well as in the established myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) - myelofibrosis (MF), essential thrombocytosis (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) was also discussed in context of its association with sensitivity to STI571. Key issues addressed by the meeting included etiology/molecular biology/pathology; abnormal signaling/ cytokines; innovative therapeutics; and intensive therapies/transplantation. Tissue banking and protocol approval were also discussed at length. Patient advocates provided their perspectives at meeting's end.