Gut Health and Aging: How a Bacterial By-Product May Trigger Pre-Leukemia
As we age, our bodies change in ways that can affect our risk for diseases—including certain types of blood cancer. A new study published in Nature explores how a chemical made by bacteria in our gut may increase the risk of developing pre-leukemia, a condition where early cancer-like cells begin to grow in the blood.
The chemical in question is called ADP-heptose. It’s a substance made by some gut bacteria, especially as we get older or if we have problems with gut health like inflammation or “leaky gut.” The researchers found that this chemical can enter the bloodstream and affect blood stem cells. In people with a common age-related mutation (DNMT3A), ADP-heptose gives mutated cells a boost—causing them to multiply faster than healthy ones.
This condition, known as Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP), doesn’t always lead to cancer. But it raises the risk for blood cancers like leukemia, as well as heart disease. The study showed that ADP-heptose binds to a protein called ALPK1, which turns on genes that help these dangerous cells grow.
The takeaway? Gut health plays a bigger role in aging and cancer risk than we may have thought. Understanding how bacterial products like ADP-heptose affect our body may lead to new treatments that stop pre-cancerous cells from growing—possibly by targeting ALPK1 or improving gut health.
For Patients and Caregivers
Ask your doctor if you’ve had genetic tests that show CHIP.
Take care of your gut by eating a fiber-rich diet and managing inflammation.
Stay up to date on research—this area is quickly evolving and could impact future cancer prevention strategies.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a blood condition or is undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to talk to your healthcare team about any new research that may apply.
Reference
Microbial metabolite drives ageing-related clonal haematopoiesis via ALPK1
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This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
