In families with an inherited condition called familial platelet disorder, patients are often at risk for developing life-threatening myeloid leukemias. This disorder is characterized by mutations in certain genes, specifically in RUNX1. People with these mutations may experience disruptions in normal platelet function, experience high inflammation, and face a significant risk of developing leukemia. The onset of leukemia in FPDMM is preceded by a phenomenon called clonal hematopoiesis, where certain cells in the blood acquire mutations, giving them a growth advantage in the bone marrow.
