Patient description: A 46-year-old Asian woman with MDD complains of persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. She states that her mood is still depressed most of the days. She complains of loss of energy and feelings of worthlessness nearly every day. She is on anti-depressants for the past 6 months, but the symptoms are still present. She does not drink alcohol or smoke. She used to exercise every day for at least 30 min., but she doesn't have enough energy to do so for the past 3 weeks. She also has some digestive issues recently. She is married and has 4 children. She is menopausal. Her husband was diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago and is undergoing chemotherapy. Her past medical history is unremarkable. Her family history is negative for any psychologic problems. Her HAM-D score is 20.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-75.0,  Myelodysplastic Syndromes age > ou = 18 years and < 75 years. 2. must understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent form. 3. patient considered ineligible for intensive chemotherapy due to age, cardiac contraindication to anthracyclines, comorbidities, previous failure of intensive chemotherapy, or patient willing to avoid intensive chemotherapy. 4. must be able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements. 5. prior thalidomide allowed. 6. documented diagnosis of MDS (according to FAB definition, ie. with marrow blasts up to 30%, or CMML with WBC < 13000/mm3 that meets IPSS for intermediate-2 or high-risk disease. 7. with an associated del 5q[31](the deleted chromosomal region must 5q[31]), with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. 8. female subjects of childbearing potential must understand the study drug is expected to have a teratogenic risk agree to have a medically supervised pregnancy test with a minimum sensitivity of 25mIU/ml on the day of the study visit or in the 3 days prior to the study visit once the subject has been on effective contraception for at least weeks. This requirement also applies to women of childbearing potential who practice complete and continued abstinence. the test should ensure the subject is not pregnant when she starts treatment agree to have a medically supervised pregnancy test every 4 weeks including 4 weeks after the end of study treatment, except in the case of confirmed tubal sterilization. these pregnancy tests should be performed on the day of the study visit or in the 3 days prior to the study visit. this requirement also applies to women of childbearing potential who practice complete and continued abstinence. * agree to use, and to be able to comply with effective contraception without interruption, 4 weeks before starting study drug throughout the entire duration study drug therapy(including doses interruptions)and for 3 months after the end of the study drug therapy even if she has amenorrhea this applies unless the subject commits to absolute and continuous abstinence confirmed on a monthly basis, to avoid pregnancy for the duration of study. the following are effective methods of contraception implant levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system(IUS) Medroxyprogesterone acetate depot, tubal sterilization sexual intercourse with a vasectomised male partner only(vasectomised must be confirmed by two negative semen analyses), ovulation inhibitory progesterone-only pills(i.e.desogestrel). if not established on effective contraception, the female subject must be referred to an appropriately trained health care professional for contraceptive advice in order that contraception can be initiated. Because of the increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with multiple myeloma taking lenalidomide and dexamethasone, combined oral contraceptive pills are not recommended. If a female subject is currently using combined oral contraception, the patient should switch to one of the effective methods listed above. The risk of venous thromboembolism continues for 4 to 6 weeks after discontinuing combined oral contraception. The efficacy of contraceptive steroids may be reduced during co-treatment with dexamethasone. Implants and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems are associated with an increased risk of infection at the time of insertion and irregular vaginal bleeding. Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered particularly in patients with neutropenia . Copper-releasing intrauterine devices are generally not recommended due to the potential risks of infection at the time of insertion and menstrual blood loss which may compromise patients with neutropenia or thrombocytopenia Understand that even if she has amenorrhea, she must follow all the advice on effective contraception She understands the potential consequences of pregnancy and the need to rapidly consult if there is a risk of pregnancy 9. Male patients must