Accurate Quantification of Minimal Residual Disease at Day 15 by Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Identifies Patients with B-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at High Risk for Relapse

The study conducted by Valerie de Haas and colleagues focused on the accurate quantification of minimal residual disease (MRD) in children with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR). The study involved 17 children and demonstrated that precise MRD measurement at day 15 of induction therapy could identify patients at high risk for relapse. The results showed significant differences in MRD levels between patients in continuous complete remission (CCR) and those who relapsed, with CCR patients having lower MRD levels. The study suggested that MRD quantification at two time points, particularly at day 15 and the end of induction therapy, provided more predictive information for patient prognosis than a single time point. This approach allowed for earlier prognostic information, potentially enabling treatment modifications based on risk group stratification.