Analysis of clonal hematopoiesis in A-bomb survivors

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17832
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54010:Hematology and medical oncology-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Sato SHINYA 長崎大学, 病院(医学系), 講師 (70763754)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 原爆被爆者 / CHIP / MDS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A-bomb radiation increases the risk of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are malignant hematopoietic tumors. On the other hand, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate significance (CHIP) has recently been found as a precursor to myelodysplastic syndromes, and clonal hematopoiesis in healthy individuals has attracted attention. The purpose of this study is to analyze CHIP in A-bomb survivors without hematopoietic diseases and to elucidate the mechanism of A-bomb radiation-induced hematopoietic tumorigenesis. The present study suggests that A-bomb survivors may have acquired clonal hematopoiesis due to abnormal clone number, rather than CHIP-related genetic mutations as previously reported.

Free Research Field

血液内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近距離被爆者に発症した骨髄異形成症候群において高頻度に同定される特徴的なゲノム変異が同定されており、原爆放射線によるゲノム変異が生涯にわたり造血器腫瘍の発症リスクと関連している可能性が示唆されているが、造血器疾患を有さない被爆者がどのような遺伝子変異やクローン性造血を有しているかは不明であった。本研究成果は原爆被爆者と非被爆者では異なる機序でクローン性造血を獲得している可能性を示唆するものであり、今後、放射線関連造血器疾患の発症メカニズムの解明に貢献できるものと考える。