Monocytosis is an adverse prognostic factor for survival in younger patients with primary myelofibrosis

We recently developed a modified Dupriez prognostic scoring system (PSS) that effectively discriminated between high-, intermediate-, and low-risk young patients (age <= 60 years) with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) based on the respective presence of none, one, or two or more of the following parameters: hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, leukocyte count < 4 or > 30 x 10(9) L-1, and platelet count < 100 x 10(9) L-1. The current study (n=129; median age, 52 years; 69 males) reveals, on multivariable analysis, that an absolute monocyte count of >= 1 x 10(9) L-1 carries an independent predictive value (p=0.02), for an inferior survival, in addition to that provided by hemoglobin level (p=0.002), platelet count (0.02), and leukocyte count (p=0.16). The inclusion of the monocyte count as a fourth risk factor enabled the construction of a new and improved Mayo PSS; median survival was 173, 61, and 26 months in the absence of all four (low-risk), three (intermediate-risk), or two or less (high-risk) adverse features, respectively (p < 0.0001). The independent prognostic value of monocytosis was validated in a separate database of 97 patients with PMF from another institution. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.