[Importance of clonal hematopoiesis for hematologic neoplasms]

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a fairly newly described phenomenon characterized by myeloid cancer-associated somatic mutations detectable in the peripheral blood of individuals without evidence of hematologic disease. Individuals with CHIP have a significantly increased risk of developing a hematologic malignancy, although the overall rate of transformation is low.

We review the current state of knowledge on causes of clonal expansion of blood cells as well as identifiable risk factors for progression to overt hematologic malignancy.

CHIP is considered a premalignant state and predisposes to the development of hematologic malignancy. Because the overall rate of transformation is low, clear identification and subsequent monitoring of those CHIP individuals at a higher risk is of paramount importance. In the future, prospective studies evaluating preventive and/or preemptive therapeutic strategies may aid in avoiding progression to blood cancer in individuals with CHIP.