Measurable residual disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-eligible patients with acute myeloid leukemia: clinical significance and promising therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT) results in improved outcomes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients compared to consolidation chemotherapy in transplant-eligible patients with adverse-risk disease. Despite achieving a complete remission (CR) to initial therapy, defined as <5% bone marrow blasts with recovery of peripheral blood elements, a large number of patients suffer disease relapse following alloHCT. There is a growing focus on minimal or measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with AML, variably defined using multiparametric flow cytometry and nucleic acid sequencing techniques, to detect levels of disease not included in current CR terminology. MRD has emerged as an important prognostic tool in AML and may improve risk stratification, further refine selection of post-remission treatment, and provide an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Herein, we review MRD detection methods, timing of measurement, prognostic implications, and MRD-directed therapy in AML patients undergoing alloHCT.

Keywords:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• measurable residual disease
• overall survival
• targeted therapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).