Current treatment strategies for measurable residual disease in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who achieve a morphologic complete remission still can have measurable residual disease (MRD) detected by multiparametric flow cytometry, molecular methods, or cytogenetics. Such patients with MRD have a high risk of disease recurrence over a short timeframe, but optimal treatment strategies are unknown. Outcomes with conventional treatment, including allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, are worse than those for patients without MRD. Herein, the authors review current strategies, including novel clinical trials, targeted toward patients with MRD.