Clonal hematopoiesis denotes a condition involving acquired genetic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells, and is recognized as precancerous lesion for hematologic malignancy (e.g., myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia). Recent scientific advances indicate that clonal hematopoiesis rather represents an immunologic alteration of myeloid lineage-derived cells upon genetic mutations that can affect the course of various chronic diseases. The role of clonal hematopoiesis in chronic disease has been actively studied in cardiovascular and degenerative brain diseases as well as solid tumors. These discoveries consistently imply that the role of clonal hematopoiesis differs mutated gene- and involved target organ-dependently. Mutated immune cells infiltrate into the diseased organ to affect the disease.
Youngil Koh (Wed,) studied this question.