JAK2 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphoid Malignancies: A Review of the Literature

Lakshan N Fonseka; Beatriz Germán; Francisco Expósito; Enrique Conde; Sergio Bárcena; Carlos A Tirado

JAK2 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphoid Malignancies: A Review of the Literature

J Assoc Genet Technol. 2016;42(3):98-103.

Authors

Lakshan N Fonseka¹, Beatriz Germán¹, Francisco Expósito¹, Enrique Conde¹, Sergio Bárcena¹, Carlos A Tirado²

Affiliations

¹ University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
² Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

PMID: 27606950

Abstract

In 2016, there will be an estimated 6,590 new cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia and 18,960 new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the United States. These and other lymphoid malignancies have a key player in common, JAK2, an enzyme from the Janus kinase (JAK) family. Deviations from the normal functioning of JAK2, particularly in the JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, can disrupt homeostasis and drive the accumulation of intermediate progenitors, contributing to the development of myeloid and lymphoid malignancies. In this review, the recent literature on JAK2 mutations in lymphoid malignancies is summarized, concluding with a discussion of the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. New directions for future research have been underlined to advance the clinical management of lymphoid malignancies.