Elevated Clonal Hematopoiesis in 9/11 First Responders Has Distinct Age-related Patterns and Relies on IL1RAP for Clonal Expansion

This study identifies elevated CH with distinct, nonclassical mutations in 9/11 first responders, particularly younger individuals, and links CH to increased leukemia risk. Findings suggest broader relevance to other genotoxic environmental exposures and highlight IL1RAP as a critical driver of CH expansion and a promising therapeutic target for inflammation-driven malignancies. See related commentary by Safina and van Galen, p. 2406.