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Killer Clones
Article

Killer Clones

Overgrowth of mutant blood cells is common in older people – and a risk factor for serious disease

Science, 2017

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Scientific
  • Eye Opening
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Mitch Leslie of Science magazine provides a narrative covering recent advances in the understanding of a rare blood cell imbalance called clonal hematopoiesis. He reveals discoveries that jolted the field and brought this perplexing condition out of obscurity. Previously thought to be rare and harmless, new technologies expose blood imbalance as a precursor to cancer, heart disease and other age-related diseases. Eventually, half of the population may be affected by clonal hematopoiesis. getAbstract recommends this article to those concerned with age-related illnesses.

Summary

As people age, mutations cause blood stem cell overgrowth and clonal hematopoiesis or blood cell imbalance.

Stem cells in bone marrow continually replenish the body’s blood, generating up to 100 billion new blood cells every day. As people age these stem cells mutate, which can increase the speed at which the reproduce. These mutant cells overgrow, overpopulating the blood. They become so abundant that they account for 20% of all blood cells.

Recent advances in genetic sequencing technologies reveal...

About the Author

Mitch Leslie is a writer for Science magazine who specializes in covering heart disease and other medical topics.


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