What is a common target therapy for polycythemia vera?

• A. Phlebotomy to remove some of those RBCs
• B. Erythropoietin injections
• C. Bone marrow transplant
• D. Aspirin therapy only

Answer: (A)

Polycythemia vera raises red cell mass, making the blood thicker and increasing the risk of clots. The main goal is to lower the red cell mass and hematocrit to improve blood flow. Therapeutic phlebotomy directly removes blood, reducing hematocrit quickly and lowering viscosity, which decreases thrombosis risk. While aspirin may be used to help prevent clotting, it doesn’t reduce red cell mass on its own, so it’s typically used alongside phlebotomy rather than as the sole approach. In contrast, erythropoietin would boost red cell production and worsen the condition, and bone marrow transplant is not a standard first-line treatment for PV.