Myelodysplastic disorders carrying both isolated del(5q) and JAK2(V617F) mutation: concise review, with focus on lenalidomide therapy

The concomitant presence of del(5q) and JAK2(V617F) mutation is an infrequent event which occurs in rare patients with peculiar cytogenetic, molecular, morphological and clinical features, resembling those of both myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Lenalidomide may induce rapid, profound, and long-lasting responses in a subset of these patients. However, the mechanism(s) by which the drug acts in these conditions remain not completely elucidated. A new case report and a review of all cases published so far in this setting are provided. Furthermore, the possibility of categorizing – from a clinical, pathological, and biological point of view – for at least some of these patients as a potential distinct entity is discussed.