Background: Measurable residual disease (MRD) assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) has gained importance in clinical decision-making for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. However, complying with the recent In Vitro Diagnostic Regulations (IVDR) in Europe and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance in the United States requires rigorous validation prior to their use in investigational clinical trials and diagnostics. Validating AML MRD-MFC assays poses challenges due to the unique underlying disease biology and paucity of patient specimens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurrent risk algorithms are primarily based on pre-treatment factors and imperfectly predict outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We introduce and validate a post-treatment approach of leukemic stem cell (LSC) assessment for prediction of outcome. LSC containing CD34+CD38- fractions were measured using flow cytometry in an add-on study of the HOVON102/SAKK trial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResponse criteria in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has recently been re-established, with morphologic examination utilized to determine whether patients have achieved complete remission (CR). Approximately half of the adult patients who entered CR will relapse within 12 months due to the outgrowth of residual AML cells in the bone marrow. The quantitation of these remaining leukemia cells, known as minimal or measurable residual disease (MRD), can be a robust biomarker for the prediction of these relapses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRelapses after initial successful treatment in acute myeloid leukemia are thought to originate from the outgrowth of leukemic stem cells. Their flow cytometrically assessed frequency is of importance for relapse prediction and is therefore assumed to be implemented in future risk group profiling. Since current detection methods are complex, time- and bone marrow consuming (multiple-tubes approach), it would be advantageous to have a broadly applicable approach that enables to quantify leukemia stem cells both at diagnosis and follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs relapses are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), early relapse prediction is of high importance. Although conventional minimal residual disease (MRD) measurement is carried out in bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB) would be an advantageous alternative source. This study aims to investigate the specificity of leukemia-associated immunophenotypes used for MRD detection in blood samples.
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