DNA Tracking Flags Blood Cancer Progression Years Earlier in 30-Patient Study

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 12

Researchers tracking blood and bone marrow DNA in 30 people with myeloproliferative neoplasms found genetic changes often appeared years before routine blood tests showed progression.
Stable patients usually had genetically quiet disease, while worsening cases showed new abnormal cell groups expanding before myelofibrosis or acute leukemia became clinically visible.
Nine participants developed acute myeloid leukemia, but not through a single pathway—some accumulated mutations within MPN cells, while others appeared to develop leukemia from separate abnormal blood-cell clones.
The study also identified distinct DNA-change signatures linked to hydroxyurea and azacitidine, while finding no evidence that hydroxyurea causes leukemia.
Researchers and outside experts said the near-term use is closer monitoring rather than earlier aggressive treatment, though repeated DNA testing could eventually support more precise, mutation-targeted prevention.