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Consider This an Early Measure of Response in ALL
JAMA Oncol; ePub 2017 Jul 13; Berry, Zhou, et al
Achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity appears to be important in both pediatric and adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to a meta-analysis of 39 studies involving more than 13,600 individuals. Investigators included trials that evaluated event-free and/or overall survival by MRD status in patients with ALL. The studies included adult, pediatric, and mixed populations. Among the results:
- Pediatric patients who achieved MRD negativity had an event-free survival hazard ratio of 0.23.
- This ratio was 0.28 in adults.
- Pediatric patients who achieved MRD negativity had an overall survival hazard ratio of 0.28, as did adults.
The authors noted that MRD status should be considered as an early measure of disease response.
Berry D, Zhou S, Higley H, et al. Association of minimal residual disease with clinical outcome in pediatric and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A meta-analysis. [Published online ahead of print July 13, 2017]. JAMA Oncol. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.0580.