Dr. Stein on the Importance of MRD in AML

Eytan M. Stein, MD, hematologic oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the importance of testing for measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

At the time of complete remission, the presence of MRD has been shown to be an adverse prognostic factor. Patients with MRD at the time of allogeneic bone marrow transplant have a higher risk of relapse following transplant than if they were MRD negative, says Stein. Notably, the presence of MRD also appears to predict risk of relapse for favorable-risk patients who are not undergoing transplant.

As such, clinical trials are needed to test agents that could induce MRD negativity, says Stein. Of equal concern will be the potential survival benefit and toxicities of the drug, concludes Stein.