The Role of Inflammation in the Initiation and Progression of Myeloid Neoplasms

Myeloid malignancies are devastating hematologic cancers with limited therapeutic options. Infl ammation is emerging as a novel driver of myeloid malignancy, with important implications for tumor composition, immune response, therapeutic options, and patient survival. Here, we discuss the role of infl ammation in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, from clonal hematopoiesis to full-blown myeloid leukemia. We discuss how infl ammation shapes clonal output from hematopoietic stem cells, how infl ammation alters the immune microenvironment in the bone marrow, and novel therapies aimed at targeting infl ammation in myeloid disease.Signifi cance: Infl ammation is emerging as an important factor in myeloid malignancies. Understanding the role of infl ammation in myeloid transformation, and the interplay between infl ammation and other drivers of leukemogenesis, may yield novel avenues for therapy.