Clonal hematopoiesis is clonally unrelated to multiple myeloma and is associated with specific microenvironmental changes

M Marta Lionetti (7University of Milan, Milano, Italy) M Margherita Scopetti (1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy) A Antonio Matera (7University of Milan, Milano, Italy) A Akihiro Maeda (6Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy) A Alessio Marella (7University of Milan, Milano, Italy) F Francesca Lazzaroni (2Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) G Giancarlo Castellano (5Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain) S Sonia Fabris (2Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) S Stefania Pioggia (6Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy) S Silvia Lonati (1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy) A Alfredo Marchetti (1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy) A Alessandra Cattaneo (3Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Clinical Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) M Marta Tornese (3Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Clinical Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) A Antonino Neri (Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy) C Claudia Leoni L Loredana Pettine (16Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) V Valentina Traini (1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy) I Ilaria Silvestris (1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy) M Marzia Barbieri (2Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) G Giuseppina Fabbiano (2Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) D Domenica Ronchetti (4University of Milan, Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Milan, Italy) E Elisa Taiana (1Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico) C Claudio de Magistris (6Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy) M Matteo C. Da Vià (3Hematology Section, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) F Francesco Passamonti (University of Milan, Milan) N Niccolò Bolli (1Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico)

Abstract

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) initiation is dictated by genomic events. However, its progression from asymptomatic stages to an aggressive disease that ultimately fails to respond to treatments is also dependent on changes of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a prevalent clonal condition of the hematopoietic stem cell whose presence is causally linked to a more inflamed microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate in 106 patients with MM that CHIP is frequently coexisting with MM at diagnosis, associates with a more advanced Revised International Staging System stage and higher age, and has a nonsignificant trend toward lower median hemoglobin. In our cohort, the 2 conditions do not share a clonal origin. Single-cell RNA sequencing in 16 patients with MM highlights significant TME changes when CHIP is present: decreased naive T cells, a proinflammatory TME, decreased antigen-presenting function by dendritic cells, and expression of exhaustion markers in CD8 cells. Inferred interactions between cell types in CHIP-positive TME suggested that especially monocytes, T cells, and clonal plasma cells may have a prominent role in mediating inflammation, immune evasion, and pro-survival signals in favor of MM cells. Altogether, our data reveal that, in the presence of CHIP, the TME of MM at diagnosis is significantly disrupted in line with what is usually found in more advanced disease, with potential translational implications. Our data highlight the relevance of this association and prompt for further studies on the modifier role of CHIP in the MM TME.

Article Details

Journal Blood
Volume / Issue Vol. 146, Issue 5
Published July 31, 2025
Pages 571-584
ISSN 0006-4971
Publisher Elsevier BV

Journal Info

Blood

Elsevier BV

ISSN: 0006-4971 Health Sciences

Authors (26)

M

Marta Lionetti

7University of Milan, Milano, Italy

M

Margherita Scopetti

1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

A

Antonio Matera

7University of Milan, Milano, Italy

A

Akihiro Maeda

6Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy

A

Alessio Marella

7University of Milan, Milano, Italy

F

Francesca Lazzaroni

2Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

G

Giancarlo Castellano

5Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain

S

Sonia Fabris

2Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

S

Stefania Pioggia

6Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy

S

Silvia Lonati

1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

A

Alfredo Marchetti

1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

A

Alessandra Cattaneo

3Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Clinical Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

M

Marta Tornese

3Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Clinical Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

A

Antonino Neri

Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy

C

Claudia Leoni

L

Loredana Pettine

16Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

V

Valentina Traini

1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

I

Ilaria Silvestris

1Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

M

Marzia Barbieri

2Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

G

Giuseppina Fabbiano

2Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

D

Domenica Ronchetti

4University of Milan, Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Milan, Italy

E

Elisa Taiana

1Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

C

Claudio de Magistris

6Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy

M

Matteo C. Da Vià

3Hematology Section, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

F

Francesco Passamonti

University of Milan, Milan

N

Niccolò Bolli

1Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico