Understanding Clonal Hematopoiesis: Blood Mutations Linked to Cancer, Heart Disease, Inflammation & More

As we age, our blood cells naturally develop mutations. With new sequencing technology, we can now identify very rare and specific mutations in human blood more easily and precisely than ever before. It’s like we now have a path to find the needle in a haystack. Researchers have discovered that some of these age-related blood mutations, collectively known as clonal hematopoiesis, may be linked to increased risk of blood cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic inflammation.

In this episode of CancerCast, Drs. Manish Shah and Pinkal Desai explain what clonal hematopoiesis is and why clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminant potential or “CHIP” is being detected more often through advanced blood testing and multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests. They break down what patients should understand if these mutations appear in liquid biopsy results or screening tests and explain why certain patients should consider being monitored for these mutations.

Research into clonal hematopoiesis and CHIP is raising important questions about cancer risk, prevention, and long-term monitoring for cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The conversation explores potential health consequences of these blood mutations, the connection between the heart and blood, as well as why CHIP can worsen existing health conditions from autoimmune disorders to gout and beyond. Focused CHIP research efforts are underway to try to better detect and prevent blood cancers such as leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), as well as to intervene earlier for healthy and optimal aging.

Guest: Pinkal Desai, MD, Clinical Director, Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Molecular Aging Institute and hematologist/oncologist caring for patients with leukemia and other blood cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.