Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41965544›Full record

SynthesisBMC cancer2026

Ropeginterferon dose-escalation strategies in polycythemia vera: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Seug Yun Yoon, Suyeon Park, Sun Young Jeong, Min-Young Lee, Kyoung Ha Kim, Namsu Lee, Jong-Ho Won, Sung-Eun Lee

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Seug Yun Yoon *Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Suyeon Park *Department of Biostatistics, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sun Young JeongDivision of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Min-Young LeeDivision of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Kyoung Ha KimDivision of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Namsu LeeDivision of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jong-Ho WonDivision of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sung-Eun LeeDepartment of Hematology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodae-ro, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea. lee86@catholic.ac.kr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRopeginterferon alfa-2b is increasingly used as a long-acting interferon therapy for polycythemia vera (PV), providing hematologic and molecular benefits. However, clinical studies have implemented different dose-escalation strategies, and their impact on outcomes has not been systematically evaluated.

methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (September 24, 2025) identified studies reporting clinical outcomes of ropeginterferon in PV. Nine studies met eligibility criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data, and meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses compared slow dose-up (SDU) and rapid dose-up (RDU) regimens at 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up when available.

resultsThe pooled 1-year complete hematologic response (CHR) rate was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.47–0.71). RDU regimens yielded significantly higher CHR than SDU at both 1 year (0.67 vs. 0.41; p < 0.001) and 2 years (0.75 vs. 0.63; p = 0.038). Molecular response (MR) also favored RDU at 1 year (0.59 vs. 0.36; p < 0.001), with differences diminishing at 2 years. The pooled 1-year reduction in JAK2 V617F allele burden was − 22.2% (95% CI, − 34.2% to − 10.2%; p < 0.001). Safety outcomes were favorable, with low rates of thrombosis (4%), serious adverse events (5%), and treatment discontinuation (7%).

conclusionsRopeginterferon alfa-2b provides meaningful hematologic and molecular responses with an acceptable safety profile in PV. Rapid dose-escalation facilitates earlier CHR and MR without increasing toxicity, suggesting titration speed as an important determinant of early treatment optimization.

Indexed as

Interferon alpha-2Polycythemia VeraPolyethylene GlycolsDose-Response Relationship, DrugHumansJanus Kinase 2Treatment OutcomeInterferon alpha-2JAK2 protein, humanJanus Kinase 2Polyethylene Glycolsropeginterferon alfa-2bDose-escalationHematologic responseMolecular responsePolycythemia veraRopeginterferon alfa-2b

Identifiers

PMID41965544
PMCPMC13188781

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.