Figure 1. MPN stem cells are responsible for disease initiation and propagation in vivo.

IFNα therapy has direct effects on MPN stem cells leading to depletion of LT-HSCs, exit from quiescence and enforced terminal differentiation. Additionally, IFNα may have direct effects on downstream effector cells leading to reduction in blood counts and extramedullary hematopoiesis. The effects of IFNα on preventing fibrotic and/or leukemic transformation have not yet been defined