MRIQuantitative MRI for Myelofibrosis

For the development and validation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters as biomarkers for analyzing extent of disease and quantifying response to treatment in patients with myelofibrosis. Quantitative MRI parameters for diffusion of water and/or fat content in bone marrow will determine extent of disease in patients with myelofibrosis, and changes in these parameters will predict response to therapy. To investigate this hypothesis, the researchers will perform this pilot clinical study of diffusion and fat content (T1 weighted imaging) in patients before and during treatment for myelofibrosis. The researchers expect to identify MRI parameters that determine the extent and severity of bone marrow disease in these patients and determine response to therapy at earlier time points than currently used clinical parameters.

Enrolled subjects will have an MRI scan performed at baseline (within 1 month before beginning therapy), at the time of a scheduled bone marrow biopsy or end of treatment cycle (6 months), and after 12 months.

Please note: Patients in this study will be treated with chemotherapy as determined by the hematologist or the treatment protocol for an independent clinical trial for therapy of myelofibrosis. Treatment and monitoring will be performed under the usual standard of care that includes physical examinations, laboratory testing, and other indicated imaging examinations.