Clinical decisions in clonal hematopoiesis: a contemporary review for clinicians

Robert J Vanner1, Andy G X Zeng1, Raymond H Kim1

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto.

Haematologica
|February 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) significantly impacts age-related diseases. This review provides a framework for integrating CH testing and monitoring into clinical practice for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Genetics
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is increasingly recognized as a key factor in age-associated diseases, including hematologic malignancies and cardiovascular conditions.
  • CH has significant implications for cancer therapy and autoimmune disorders, highlighting its broad clinical relevance.
  • Translating CH research into clinical practice is crucial for advancing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize evidence supporting the integration of CH testing and monitoring into clinical practice.
  • To present a systematic framework for establishing and operating dedicated CH programs.
  • To provide practical insights and recommendations for developing comprehensive CH management programs.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of current evidence on CH.
  • Analysis of risk stratification, surveillance, and intervention strategies for CH-associated conditions.
  • Incorporation of institutional experience and best practices for CH program development.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports the integration of CH testing and monitoring into clinical practice.
  • A systematic framework for CH program establishment and operation is proposed.
  • Key considerations for clinical implementation include genetic counseling, interdisciplinary coordination, and patient education.

Conclusions:

  • Integrating CH testing and monitoring into clinical practice is essential for managing age-associated diseases.
  • A structured approach, including risk stratification and surveillance, can optimize CH management.
  • Bridging the gap between molecular discoveries and clinical care delivery is achievable through comprehensive CH programs.

Related Concept Videos

Hematopoiesis01:21

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation is called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis starts early during development, on the seventh day of embryogenesis. This phase of hematopoiesis is called the primitive wave, wherein the extraembryonic yolk sac allows the production of erythroid cells and endothelial cells from a common precursor called hemangioblast. The erythroid cells provide oxygen to support the growth of the rapidly dividing embryo. Hemangioblasts later develop into hematopoietic stem cells or...
9.0K
Overview of Hematopoiesis01:20

Overview of Hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
9.5K
Contemporary Psychology01:29

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology explores human behavior and mental processes through various lenses, each offering unique insights. This overview examines key subfields, including biopsychology, evolutionary, developmental, personality, and social psychology, highlighting their approaches and contributions to understanding complex human behaviors.
Biopsychology
Biopsychology, also known as biological psychology or behavioral neuroscience, focuses on the biological underpinnings of behavior and mental processes. It...
2.3K
Review and Preview01:10

Review and Preview

In statistics, several tools are used to interpret the data. Measures of central tendency represent the characteristics of the data, such as mean, median, and mode. Additionally, measures of variance like standard deviation and range are used to find the spread of data from the mean. Relative standing measures the distance between data locations. Commonly used measures of relative standings are percentile, z score, and quartiles.
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
8.4K
Review and Preview01:13

Review and Preview

Data are individual items of information obtained from a population or sample. Data may be classified as qualitative (categorical), quantitative continuous, or quantitative discrete. Because it is not practical to measure the entire population in a study, researchers use samples to represent the population. A random sample is a representative group from the population chosen by using a method that gives each individual in the population an equal chance of being included in the sample. Random...
11.5K
Decision Making01:20

Decision Making

Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
994