Clonal evolution is defined as the selection of a particular cancer cell population from tumor heterogeneity and is considered a Darwinian-like model to explain the process by which tumor cells survive through continuous external selection pressures, such as immune surveillance or cancer treatments. Currently, the most accepted model is the branched evolution, in which a common ancestor posits multiple co-existing clones diverging and evolving in parallel with the acquisition of additional somatic mutations. However, clonal hematopoiesis is frequently found with aging or in other non-hematological conditions (e.g. cardiovascular diseases); therefore, its clinical significance remains unclear.

The goal of this Research Topic will be to provide an overview and new insights into clonal hematopoiesis in benign and malignant hematological disorders for a better understanding of the mechanisms by which clones harboring pathogenetic or variants of uncertain significance could drive disease development and progression and to drug resistance. This Research Topic has three main objectives:

- The first objective is to review the most recent knowledge on clonal hematopoiesis in hematological disorders, including new methodologies for more specific and sensitive identification in human samples.

- The second objective is to give new insights into clonal hematopoiesis and disease development and progression.

- The third objective is to address the clinical significance of clonal hematopoiesis in non-hematological conditions and its association with disease development in those conditions.

We will accept articles that explore, but are not limited to:

- Pathogenesis of clonal hematopoiesis in benign and malignant hematological disorders.

- Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and clinical outcomes of subjects carrying pathogenetic or variants of unknown significance.

- Methods for clonal hematopoietic detection in human samples.

- Associations with molecular biology, immunophenotype, and clinical features in subjects with clonal hematopoiesis.

-Associations between clonal hematopoiesis and other clinical conditions.

Impact

Frontiers in Hematology

Hematopoiesis and Stem Cells

Blood Cancer