Areas of current research and controversies Minimal residual disease

1 areas of current research , controversies

1.1 clinical usefulness of mrd tests
1.2 method testing, , when test
1.3 there such thing safe level of mrd
1.4 mrd testing useful patients?

areas of current research , controversies
clinical usefulness of mrd tests

it important doctors interpreting tests, base on scientific evidence. if 1 visits hospital , gets tested - e.g. blood count - of tests used often, , have been done thousands or millions of times before, on many different people. doctors reading test results have large body of evidence interpret results mean. contrast, mrd tests new, , diseases uncommon. tests have been done on relatively few people. consequently, there less evidence available guide doctors in interpreting tests, or basing treatment decisions on them. in plain english, means doctors cautious, , rely more on other tests know , trust, these, @ least @ present, while evidence accumulating.

method testing, , when test

there controversies best times test, , best test method use. there national , international approaches standardize these. in childhood leukaemia , chronic myeloid leukaemia, there appears consensus emerging.

is there such thing safe level of mrd

there controversy whether mrd bad, inevitably causing relapse, or whether low levels safe , not regrow. assumed cancer cells inevitably grow , if present disease develops. there evidence animal studies, leukaemic cells can lie dormant years in body , not regrow. reason, may goal of treating mrd may reduce safe level - not eradicate completely.

is mrd testing useful patients?

some types of leukaemia difficult treat. in these, not clear how mrd testing help. patients may not on current treatment, not clear other treatment, if anything, might better. there argument test not necessary: might involve additional procedure patient; contribute no useful information on treatment, not necessary.