Measurable residual disease (MRD) has emerged as a primary marker of risk severity and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). There is, however, ongoing debate about MRD-based surveillance and treatment. A literature review was performed using the PubMed database with the keywords MRD or residual disease in recently published journals. Identified articles describe the prognostic value of pre-transplant MRD and suggest optimal timing and techniques to quantify MRD. Several studies address the implications of MRD on treatment selection and hematopoietic stem cell transplant, including patient candidacy, conditioning regimen, and transplant type. More prospective, randomized studies are needed to guide the application of MRD in the treatment of AML, particularly in transplant.
Keywords: AML; MRD; acute myeloid leukemia; hematopoietic stem cell transplant; measurable residual disease.