How bacteria in aging guts can elevate risk of leukemia and perhaps more

Medical Xpress / Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center / Nature ^ | April 23, 2025 | Daniel Starczynowski et al

[ConservativeMind]

Scientists have discovered a surprising new connection between gut health and blood cancer risk—one that could transform how we think about aging, inflammation, and the early stages of leukemia.

As we grow older—or in some cases, when gut health is compromised by disease—changes in the intestinal lining allow certain bacteria to leak their byproducts into the bloodstream. One such molecule, produced by specific bacteria, acts as a signal that accelerates the expansion of dormant, pre-leukemic blood cells.

The study suggests that this mechanism may reach beyond leukemia to influence risk for other diseases and among older people who share a little-known condition called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP).

As we age, the gut lining becomes more permeable, thus allowing more interactions between the contents of the intestine and the blood system. Inside the intestine, a variety of common "gram-negative" bacteria tend to multiply in older people, producing rising amounts of a bacterial sugar called ADP-heptose. Turns out, this bacterial byproduct can cause problems when it gets into the bloodstream.

CHIP describes a condition in which a person's blood cells gradually acquire mutations that set the stage for diseases to develop. These mutated cells then make multiple copies—or clones. Some of these mutations are well-known to be linked to blood cancers. But others are associated with other illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, and inflammatory conditions.

An estimated 10–20% of adults over 70 have CHIP, yet few know it.

In the new study, researchers generated mice that mimic CHIP. In these mice, the early-stage pre-leukemic cells dramatically expanded when exposed to ADP-heptose from the gut bacteria.

It might be possible to better manage gut health via dietary adjustments or by using pre- or pro-biotics. Much research suggests that the composition and function of gut microbiota can be manipulated.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: biome; cancer; disease; gitract; inflammation; leukemia; risk

[ConservativeMind]

Prebiotics and probiotics might curb some of the concern, they suggest.

I recently posted a different study on clonal hematopoiesis and it said MitoQ, a supplement, greatly helped kill off and tame these defective cells.

[ConservativeMind]

That other study is here:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-supercharged-mitochondria-aging-blood-disorders.html

[ConservativeMind]

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[BipolarBob]

I hate leukemias guts and apparently it hates mine.

[GaltAdonis]

A guy I worked back when we were both 20 years old just died of leukemia at age 60.
He was a diabetic. Don’t know if that was part of the cause, but it can raise the odds of leukemia.
Good luck to you!

[BipolarBob]

My best high school friend died of it in his early 20s. His whole family (mother and sisters) had the genetics for it. Terrible disease. They cut off one of his legs and about a year later it ravaged his body.

[GaltAdonis]

BOTH diseases are terrible - diabetes and leukemia.

The company that I and the diabetic worked at - I came in to work one morning about
a half hour late and the parking lot was in total disarray.
Apparently, this guy nearly passed out while driving to work.
He made it into the parking lot okay, and even a parking space, but
then didn’t stop and rear ended the parked car in the spot in front of him.
Wham! Right into the engineering manager’s one month old 280z,
I can relate to his situation because a few times in the past several
years I had situations where I passed out, or nearly so from
hypoglycemia…low blood sugar. I was riding on one of those electric
riding carts that stores provide for handicapped folks, doing my grocery
shopping in a local Shoprite supermarket, and suddenly I didn’t know
where I was. Okay, I thought to myself, I’m definitely in a supermarket,
but I didn’t know WHICH ONE. I thought like maybe I was at a different one
but I was pretty sure it was a Shoprite. I slumped over the front of the cart
and a store employee asked if I was okay - I explained the situation
and she got me an orange juice to raise my BS.
That one was a weird experience because I remained conscious through
it all.

So you hate leukemia, but do I hate diabetes worse? Can’t tell right now.

[BipolarBob]

They are both terrible. A family member has diabetes and it has definitely impacted her life in a negative manner.

[GOPJ]

bump