The importance of minimal residual disease for detection of late relapse in Bprecursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

M Virijevic; N Kraguljac-Kurtovic; N Pantic; V Knezevic; M Mitrovic

The importance of minimal residual disease for detection of late relapse in Bprecursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Hippokratia. 2022 Jan-Mar;26(1):38-40.

Authors

M Virijevic^{1

2}, N Kraguljac-Kurtovic¹, N Pantic¹, V Knezevic¹, M Mitrovic^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Clinic of Hematology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.
² Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

PMID: 37124277
PMCID: PMC10132388

Abstract

Background: The minimal residual disease (MRD) level in patients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the strongest independent predictor of relapse and survival. Assessment of MRD plays a crucial role in the treatment of B-ALL.

Case report: We performed long-term monitoring of a 30-year-old woman with B-ALL of standard risk for MRD using multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC). After five years of monitoring, molecular relapse of the disease was confirmed.

Conclusion: This case illustrates that more extended monitoring for MRD, even by only MFC when other newer sophisticated diagnostics are not available, is essential in detecting early relapse in patients with B-ALL of standard risk. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (1):38-40.

Keywords: B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Minimal residual disease; late relapse; multiparametric flow cytometry.

Publication types

Case Reports