Ruben A. Mesa, M.D.

Ruben A. Mesa, M.D., is committed to improving therapies and quality of life for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis.

Dr. Mesa has been very active in evaluating new medicines focusing on targeted small molecules aimed at key aspects of the diseases, such as inhibiting known mutations, including JAK2; the fibrosing process in myelofibrosis; or symptomatic burdens, including anemia, splenomegaly or constitutional symptoms.

Dr. Mesa has been principal investigator or co-principal investigator in more than 45 clinical trials for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms or other myeloid disorders, and he's authored more than 300 publications along these latter themes.

Focus areas

• Developing better treatments for myeloproliferative neoplasms. The myeloproliferative neoplasms research program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona maintains a comprehensive panel of clinical trials led or co-led by Mayo investigators for myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.

  These trials use agents that target the origins of these diseases — examples include JAK2 inhibitor trials, novel pathway studies, combination trials and interferon studies.

• Identifying the proper timing and impact of allogeneic stem cell transplant for the cure of myelofibrosis. In combination with the state-of-the-art Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, which is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, Dr. Mesa and Veena D. Fauble, M.D., provide a comprehensive, holistic research and clinical program for allogeneic transplant for myelofibrosis.

  This includes efforts to decrease transplant toxicity and improve outcomes and long-term quality of life.

• Understanding and measuring the impact of current and experimental treatments on symptomatic burden and quality of life in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Dr. Mesa and his colleagues, utilizing a series of myeloproliferative neoplasm symptom questionnaires they developed, lead an international effort with the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Quality of Life International Study Group to understand symptomatic burdens of myeloproliferative neoplasms.

  They are currently leading global trials for myeloproliferative neoplasm patients.

• Acting as a key member institution with the Myeloproliferative Disease Research Consortium (MPD-RC) to better understand the pathogenesis and treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms. Dr. Mesa helps lead the clinical trial arm of the MPD-RC. He also acts as co-principal investigator of the international phase III trial comparing pegylated interferon alpha-2a with hydroxyurea in high-risk patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera.

Significance to patient care

The myeloproliferative neoplasms research program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, which is led by Dr. Mesa, is a comprehensive program aiming to make an important difference for myeloproliferative neoplasm patients through efforts in clinical practice, education and research.

The research aims to bring the latest drug trials to patients in a holistic manner, with a focus on overcoming the symptomatic burden of having a myeloproliferative neoplasm.

They also look to have a comprehensive educational program, ranging from live patient meetings — such as the biannual Joyce Niblack Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patient Meeting at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, which will next be held in February 2013, and the Living with Cancer symposium — to a Web-based educational program on YouTube.

Professional highlights

• Chair, Standing Science and Education Committee, International Society of Hematology
• Co-Lead Investigator, Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium Trials Group
• Fellow, American College of Physicians
• Founder, Living with Cancer Symposium, Mayo Clinic
• Member, Committee on Promoting Diversity, American Society of Hematology
• Member, Editorial Board, Blood