University of Cambridge

Academic Institute

OFHS250121

The study’s aim is to improve our understanding of clonal haematopoiesis (CH) and related conditions, in order to develop new treatments in this field. Specifically, we aim to i) identify genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that increase or decrease the risk of developing CH, ii) determine the impact of having CH on the risk of developing other health problems like heart, liver or kidney disease and iii) develop predictive tools to better identify those at risk of blood cancer or other conditions. In the present study, we will extend our work to identify new genetic determinants of CH risk and others that affect the likelihood of progression to blood cancers or the development of other diseases. Our body makes large numbers of new blood cells every day in the bone marrow, the spongy middle part of large bones. This blood making process is called haematopoiesis (from the Greek words haema=blood and poiesis=making). These new blood cells come from haematopoietic (blood-making) stem cells that keep dividing to generate the required amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. As we age, our stem cells pick up changes in their DNA, called DNA mutations, a normal process that happens to all cells over time. Sometimes certain DNA mutations drive a single stem cell grow more than normal and generate a bigger fraction of blood cells than its “fair” share. This phenomenon, known as clonal haematopoiesis (CH), becomes very common with advancing age, affecting more than 30% of people aged 70 years or older and is associated with an increased risk of certain blood and other diseases, making it an important health concern. Over the last decade, we and others have investigated its origins, causes, consequences and natural history. More recently, we developed predictive tools that quantify individual CH carriers’ risk of developing blood cancers and identified potential therapeutic interventions that may reduce this risk.

Clonal haematopoiesis (CH) becomes very common with advancing age, affecting more than 30% of individuals aged 70 years or older. In fact, using sensitive techniques, low-level CH can be identified in almost everyone in this age range. Therefore, understanding CH and its health consequences is of broad direct relevance to the public, as this knowledge can be used to improve the health of large sections of the population. In addition, understanding the genetic and other mechanisms driving CH will give insights into the development of similar pre-cancerous conditions that happen in tissues other than blood (e.g. skin, bowel lining, liver etc) and help identify ways to prevent other cancers or non-cancerous conditions.

Public Health Research

09/03/2026

23/01/2026

TRE