MBL, CHIP, and Blood Cancer Risk: What New Research Says About These Blood Cancer Precursor Conditions

In this article, learn about new research that looked at the connection between monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). You will learn how often these two blood cancer precursor conditions occur together and what the study found about cancer risk. 

What are MBL and CHIP? 

Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, or MBL, is a condition where small numbers of abnormal B cells are found in the blood. B cells are a type of white blood cell. MBL is considered a precursor condition to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This means it can come before CLL, but does not always lead to cancer.

There are different types of MBL. This study focused on non-CLL-type MBL, which does not have the same cell markers as CLL-type MBL and is less well studied. Even so, earlier research suggests non-CLL-type MBL may still be linked to a higher risk of blood cancers.

CHIP is another precursor condition. It happens when blood-forming stem cells pick up genetic changes that allow them to grow more than usual. CHIP is linked to conditions like myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other blood cancers, but many people with CHIP never develop cancer.

What’s the risk of MBL and CHIP developing into blood cancers? 

Researchers studied 8,802 adults who took part in the Mayo Clinic Biobank. All participants were 40 years or older and had no history of blood cancer at the time of screening. Blood samples were tested to look for non-CLL-type MBL and for CHIP-related gene changes. Participants were then followed over time to see who developed a blood cancer. This long follow-up allowed researchers to compare cancer risk and overall survival between different groups.

Non-CLL-type MBL was found in 2.8% of people in the study. CHIP was more common and was found in 8.6% of participants. A total of 0.5% of people had both conditions at the same time. Over a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 104 of the people monitored developed a blood cancer. These included both lymphoid cancers, like CLL, and myeloid cancers, like MDS. 

People who were diagnosed with a blood cancer precursor, such as non-CLL-type MBL or CHIP, had a higher chance of developing blood cancer than those without. People at the highest risk of developing blood cancer were those who had both non-CLL-type MBL and CHIP. 

Even though cancer risk was higher, overall survival was not significantly different between people with non-CLL-type MBL, CHIP, both conditions, or neither condition. 

For patients, this is reassuring. It suggests that having these precursor conditions does not necessarily mean shorter life expectancy, especially with monitoring and regular care.

Summary

Non-CLL-type MBL and CHIP are blood cancer precursor conditions. Having both conditions together increases the risk of developing a blood cancer, but many people do not progress, and overall survival remains similar to that of those without blood cancer precursors. If you have MBL or CHIP, this research supports the value of regular follow-up and conversations with your healthcare team about monitoring plans.  

Read this abstract: Non-CLL-type MBL and chip are associated precursor conditions: Insights from Mayo Clinic’s MBL screening cohort 

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Source:

• Non-CLL-type MBL and chip are associated precursor conditions: Insights from Mayo Clinic’s MBL screening cohort