Abstract
Detectable measurable residual disease (MRD) is a key prognostic factor in both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Thus, we conducted a survey in EBMT transplant centers focusing on pre- and post-allo-HCT MRD. One hundred and six centers from 29 countries responded. One hundred had a formal strategy for routine MRD assessment, 91 for both ALL and AML. For ALL (n = 95), assessing MRD has been routine practice starting from 2010 (range, 1990–2019). Techniques used for MRD assessment consisted of PCR techniques alone (n = 27), multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC, n = 16), both techniques (n = 43), next-generation sequencing (NGS) + PCR (n = 2), or PCR + MFC + NGS (n = 7). The majority of centers assessed MRD every 2–3 months for 2 (range, 1-until relapse) years. For AML, assessing MRD was routine in 92 centers starting in 2010 (range 1990–2019). Assessment of MRD was by PCR (n = 23), MFC (n = 13), both PCR and MFC (n = 39), both PCR and NGS (n = 3), and by all three techniques (n = 14). The majority assesses MRD for AML every 2–3 months for 2 (range, 1-until relapse) years. This survey is the first step in the aim to include MRD status as a routine registry capture parameter in acute leukemia.
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FB is Senior Research Associate at the National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS) Belgium.
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AN wrote the manuscript, designed the study, and interpreted the data; FB wrote the manuscript and interpreted the data; ML designed the study, analyzed and interpreted the data, and edited the manuscript; EP designed the study, analyzed and interpreted the data, and edited the manuscript; MM designed the study, interpreted the data, and edited the manuscript; all remaining authors helped in the design of the study, interpreted the data, and edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
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FB has received travel grants from Celgene, Abbvie, Novartis, and Sanofi as well as honoraria from Merck and Abbvie. The remaining authors declare that they have no relevant conflict of interest.
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Nagler, A., Baron, F., Labopin, M. et al. Measurable residual disease (MRD) testing for acute leukemia in EBMT transplant centers: a survey on behalf of the ALWP of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 56, 218–224 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-01005-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-01005-y
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