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

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.