Reconstructing skeletal homeostasis through allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in myelofibrosis

Abstract Myeloproliferative neoplasm-associated myelofibrosis is a clonal stem cell process characterized by pronounced bone marrow fibrosis associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis and splenomegaly. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) represents the only curative trea...

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Main Authors: Mathias Schäfersküpper, Alexander Simon, Timur A. Yorgan, Felix N. von Brackel, Maximilian M. Delsmann, Anke Baranowsky, Nico Gagelmann, Francis Ayuk, Thorsten Schinke, Michael Amling, Nicolaus Kröger, Tim Rolvien
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55915-w
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Summary:Abstract Myeloproliferative neoplasm-associated myelofibrosis is a clonal stem cell process characterized by pronounced bone marrow fibrosis associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis and splenomegaly. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) represents the only curative treatment leading to bone marrow fibrosis regression. Here we provide an in-depth skeletal characterization of myelofibrosis patients before and after allo-HSCT utilizing clinical high-resolution imaging, laboratory analyses, and bone biopsy studies. Despite unimpaired bone microarchitecture at peripheral skeletal sites, we observe a marked increase in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and proximal femur, which is histologically related to severe bone marrow fibrosis and osteosclerosis, fully normalizing after allo-HSCT. Importantly, the regression of fibrosis is accompanied by vanishing osteosclerosis along with restored osteoclastic resorption activity and whole-body calcium homeostasis. Together, our results provide evidence for an extensive reconstruction of skeletal homeostasis by allo-HSCT in MF, leading to rapid resolution of osteosclerosis.
ISSN:2041-1723