Clonal blood cell changes and heart health in postmenopausal women

Clonal Hematopoiesis in the Women's Health Initiative

['FUNDING_R01'] · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · NIH-11300223

This project studies whether age-related clonal changes in blood stem cells raise the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease and different types of heart failure in postmenopausal women.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorFRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11300223 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you are part of the Women's Health Initiative or similar cohorts, researchers will analyze stored blood samples to look for somatic mutations that cause clonal hematopoiesis. They will link those genetic findings to long-term medical records and follow-up to see who develops atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction. The team will combine data from other cohorts and large biobanks and examine lifestyle, environmental, and inherited factors that might influence CHIP progression. The goal is to understand how CHIP-related inflammation may contribute to heart disease in older women.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are postmenopausal women with available stored blood samples or women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative or similar long-term cohorts.

Not a fit: People who are not postmenopausal women, lack available blood samples, or have no medical follow-up data would not be included or benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify women at higher risk for atherosclerotic heart disease or specific types of heart failure and point to prevention or monitoring strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked clonal hematopoiesis to cardiovascular disease and inflammation, and this project builds on those findings by using large, long-term cohorts to study connections to heart failure subtypes and risk factors.

Where this research is happening

SEATTLE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.