Novel and emerging therapeutic strategies for clonal haematopoiesis

Abstract

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) arises when hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) acquire mutations that confer a competitive advantage over wild-type HSCs, leading to their expansion in the bone marrow with clonal progeny that circulate in the blood and are most readily detected through peripheral blood sequencing. The prevalence of CH increases with age and is linked to a higher risk of hematologic malignancies and various non-malignant diseases, particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. CH is not merely a biomarker; it actively contributes to the pathogenesis of these agerelated conditions. Therefore, targeting the expansion of mutant clones and their downstream effects offers an opportunity to prevent these adverse health outcomes. CH involves mutation-specific biological changes that sustain the abnormal HSC phenotype, including epigenetic dysregulation, aberrant inflammatory signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and altered intracellular signaling pathways. A deeper understanding of these processes has led to the development of targeted therapeutic approaches. This review addresses the practical challenges of implementing interventions against CH, focusing on balancing risk and benefit and selecting appropriate patients. It discusses emerging treatments targeting the pathogenic mechanisms in CH, such as epigenetic modulators, anti-inflammatory therapies, metabolic inhibitors, and signaling pathway inhibitors. We also highlight potential novel therapeutic strategies on the horizon, such as immune-based approaches for selective clonal elimination and gene-editing therapies to correct causative mutations. These advances reframe CH as a potentially modifiable condition rather than an inevitable consequence of aging, creating opportunities for early intervention before progression to overt disease.