By Merin C. MacDonald | Date Published: April 16, 2024
Shyam Patel Assesses the Impact of CHIP on Risk of Progression to Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer with low survival rates. It is known that AML can be preceded by myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which in turn, can be preceded by clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). CHIP, a precursor for leukemia, is a condition in which mutations are present in the bone marrow but the diagnostic criteria for AML are not quite met.
In a recent study published in the British Journal of Haematology, Shyam Patel, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, and colleagues explored patterns of progression from pre-leukemia clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) to leukemia. He and his colleagues specifically assessed the impact of individual mutations in CHIP on the risk for progression to leukemia. Their studies may help inform risk assessment for patients who have these precursor blood conditions.