Optimizing Molecular Minimal Residual Disease Analysis in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) evaluation has resulted in a fundamental instrument to guide patient management in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). From a methodological standpoint, MRD is defined as any approach aimed at detecting and possibly quantifying residual neoplastic cells beyo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancers 2023-01, Vol.15 (2), p.374
Main Authors: Della Starza, Irene, De Novi, Lucia Anna, Elia, Loredana, Bellomarino, Vittorio, Beldinanzi, Marco, Soscia, Roberta, Cardinali, Deborah, Chiaretti, Sabina, Guarini, Anna, Foà, Robin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Adults
Bone marrow
Chemotherapy
Chromosomes
Disease prevention
Gene expression
Kinases
Leukemia
Literature reviews
Lymphatic leukemia
Malignancy
Medical prognosis
Minimal residual disease
Nervous system
Next-generation sequencing
Older people
Patients
Pediatrics
Polymerase chain reaction
Remission (Medicine)
Review
Stem cell transplantation
T cell receptors
Tumors
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Summary:Minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) evaluation has resulted in a fundamental instrument to guide patient management in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). From a methodological standpoint, MRD is defined as any approach aimed at detecting and possibly quantifying residual neoplastic cells beyond the sensitivity level of cytomorphology. The molecular methods to study MRD in ALL are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification-based approaches and are the most standardized techniques. However, there are some limitations, and emerging technologies, such as digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS), seem to have advantages that could improve MRD analysis in ALL patients. Furthermore, other blood components, namely cell-free DNA (cfDNA), appear promising and are also being investigated for their potential role in monitoring tumor burden and response to treatment in hematologic malignancies. Based on the review of the literature and on our own data, we hereby discuss how emerging molecular technologies are helping to refine the molecular monitoring of MRD in ALL and may help to overcome some of the limitations of standard approaches, providing a benefit for the care of patients.
ISSN:2072-6694
2072-6694
DOI:10.3390/cancers15020374