Comparing outcomes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with detectable and undetectable minimal residual disease

This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who achieved detectable and undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD).  

This study concluded that patients with undetectable MRD had better outcomes than those with detectable MRD. 

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is the small number of cancer cells that remain during or after treatment when the patient is in remission. MRD is a major cause of relapse in cancer. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who achieve undetectable MRD (U-MRD) have better outcomes than those with detectable MRD (D-MRD).  

It was unknown what the outcomes would be for patients with U-MRD compared to D-MRD after chemotherapy (CT) or chemoimmunotherapy (CIT). 

This study reviewed 11 other studies. It involved 2457 patients with CLL who were treated with CT or CIT. Progression free survival (PFS – survival without cancer getting worse) and overall survival (OS) were measured.  

Patients with U-MRD had significantly better PFS overall and were more likely to achieve complete remission (CR – no sign of cancer) when compared to those with D-MRD. The estimated 3-year PFS was 86% for U-MRD compared to 32% for D-MRD. 

Patients with U-MRD had longer OS after 3 years (96%) compared to those with D-MRD (79%).  

This study concluded that patients with U-MRD had better outcomes than those with D-MRD.