Most of the clonal expansions detected on the initial samples were not present in the subsequent samples.

In support of this hypothesis are the observations that some of these clonal expansions are joint specific.

These clonal expansions are important for at least two reasons.

It is thought that the process of developing cancer involves successive waves of clonal expansions within the tumor.

Driver mutations tend to cause clonal expansions.

Activation leads to clonal expansion and affinity maturation.

This suggests that melatonin is involved in the clonal expansion of antigen-stimulated human T lymphocytes.

When ultimately many cells are produced by a single cell, clonal expansion is said to have taken place.

This process - called "clonal expansion" - allows the body to quickly mobilise an army of clones, as and when required.

The clonal expansion of those cells can lead to autoimmune diseases, wherein the body attacks itself.