Flow cytometry minimal residual disease after allogeneic transplant for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Eur J Haematol. 2017 Apr;98(4):363-370. doi: 10.1111/ejh.12836. Epub 2017 Jan 30.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates whether achieving complete remission (CR) with undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) affects outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 46 patients transplanted for CLL and evaluated for post-transplant MRD by flow cytometry.

Results: At transplant time, 43% of the patients were in CR, including one with undetectable MRD, 46% were in partial response, and 11% had refractory disease. After transplant, 61% of the patients achieved CR with undetectable MRD status. By multivariate analysis, reaching CR with undetectable MRD 12 months after transplant was the only factor associated with better progression-free survival (P = 0.02) and attaining undetectable MRD, independently of the time of negativity, was the only factor that correlated with better overall survival (P = 0.04).

Conclusion: Thus, achieving undetectable MRD status after allo-SCT for CLL is a major goal to improve post-transplant outcome.

Keywords: allogeneic transplantation; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; flow cytometry; minimal residual disease.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Allografts
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* / blood
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* / mortality
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm, Residual
  • Survival Rate